The day you get braces can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to help calm any nervousness you may have about your therapy. Here's what you can generally expect on getting your braces put on. Make sure your teeth are clean. You should arrive at your appointment with thoroughly brushed teeth. However, in some cases, your orthodontist may recommend a hygiene appointment to remove any plaque or tartar buildup from your teeth prior to having your braces put on. Also, if it hasn't already been done in one of your previous visits, your doctor or an assistant may take an impression or mold of your teeth. Once your teeth are clean and the mold is made, you are ready for braces to be attached. Putting braces on may take one to two hours depending on your circumstances, so try to keep your mouth wide open and your tongue out of the way during the process. A cheek retractor or a spacer may be used after getting the braces put on. You may have some stiffness in the jaws or chafing around the corners of your mouth, but these will wear off. Air and suction may be used to remove saliva and keep teeth dry so bonding cement properly adheres to the metal or ceramic bracket to the tooth's enamel. Your orthodontist will carefully glue a bracket in a precise position on every tooth that needs to be aligned. Any excess bonding cement is easily scraped away. Once the brackets are affixed to your teeth, you may be asked to put on special sunglasses to protect your eyes from a curing light used to set the bonding cement. After the bonding cement has hardened, archwires are put on to connect all the brackets. At this point, you may be given the opportunity to personalize your orthodontia look by choosing the color of the ligatures or elastic bands used to secure the wires in place. Immediately after your procedure, you may use your finger and tongue to check for wire ends that extend into areas where they may poke or irritate your mouth. Your doctor may provide you with a supply of dental wax to minimize irritation. Once your braces are put on, your mouth and teeth may be sore for up to a week. To help, you can rinse with cold water, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, or use a topical numbing gel to soothe any tenderness. How long your braces stay on is completely dependent on your personal treatment plan. Some wear braces for as little as a few weeks, whereas others take years before they can be removed. Ask your doctor to estimate how long you'll need to have them on. At any time during your therapy, if you experience severe pain, a loose bracket or band, or a broken wire, it is important to contact your doctor's office for assistance. It is also very important to keep all future orthodontist appointments so wires and ligatures can be monitored and changed out as teeth move into position. With your braces on now, it's only a matter of time until your teeth are in optimal alignment, creating a beautiful and healthy smile.