While you have your braces, you need to brush your teeth and gums 5 times a day for at least 5 minutes at each brushing. You can do this when you wake up, after each meal, and before you go to bed.

Here are some tips for caring for your teeth and gums while wearing braces: 
Brush
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush at a 45-degree angle, starting at the gum line and moving below the brackets. Be gentle to avoid damaging the wires and brackets. You can also try using a special toothbrush recommended by your dentist.

 
Floss
Floss at least once a day to reduce gum inflammation. You can use floss threaders or other flossing devices to clean between your teeth. When flossing, you can try making a C-shape with the floss to hug the tooth and touch as much of the surface as possible.

 
Rinse
Rinse with an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash twice a day to remove debris. You can also try swishing with warm salt water to soothe swollen gums.

 
Avoid certain foods
Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods that could break your braces or get stuck in them. These include hard candies, nuts, popcorn, ice cubes, pretzels, caramels, and gummies. You should also avoid chewing on pens, nails, or straws. If you do eat these foods, try cutting them into small pieces or steaming or cooking them to make them easier to eat.
To prevent the braces from breaking or coming loose, you should NOT eat:

Corn on the cob
Caramels
Bagels (cut them into pieces)
Ice (do not chew it)
Taffy
Whole raw carrots (cut them into strips)
Peanut brittle
Hard tack candy
Whole hard apples (cut them into pieces)
Popcorn
Gum of any kind

Drink fluoridated water
Drinking fluoridated water can help strengthen your teeth.

 
Visit the dentist
Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. Your dentist can help remove plaque and calculus that may build up around your braces.