Oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is very important.  If good oral hygiene is not practiced during treatment, the outcome of the treatment can be effected.  Clean teeth move at their optimum speed.  Also, clean teeth do not have decalcifications and cavities in them when the braces are removed.  Brushing around braces is difficult and time consuming.  You must brush around each individual bracket, making sure you clean around each bracket.  We recommend brushing your teeth for three minutes.  Once finished brushing and your mouth is completely rinsed out, look at your teeth to make sure they are clean and the braces are shiny.  If not, go back and rebrush the areas needing this.  By practicing good hygiene during treatment, the likelyhood you will have problems with decalcifications and cavities in your teeth is greatly reduced.