Plaque and food particles can get stuck in the wires and brackets. If not cleared away, they can contribute to tooth decay and cavities.  Maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine is vital to ensuring your orthodontic treatment is successful. This means brushing up to five times a day - after every meal and before you go to bed. You should also floss once per day to be sure that you're removing plaque, bacteria and debris from between your teeth. You may want to use an electric toothbrush, an interdental brush and/or a water flosser to help clear food bacteria and plaque away.