Everything you might need to know
Aftercare instructions, answers to the questions we're asked most, and plain explanations of the things people worry about. Tap any heading to open it.
Questions we get asked
If yours is not here, call us on (02) 6495 6455 and just ask. We’re here to help.
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That depends on what you need, and we will always tell you before we start. Nothing goes ahead until you know the price and have said
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EFT, credit card or cash. If you would rather spread the cost, we also offer Afterpay and Humm.
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Yes. We have HICAPS, so you claim on the spot and only pay the gap.
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All three. We treat Department of Veterans' Affairs patients, eligible children up to 18 can be treated under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, and we accept government voucher denture patients. If you are not sure whether you qualify, ask us and we will check.
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You are in good company, and you will not get a lecture. Tell us when you book and we will take it at your pace.
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Tell us when you book. We will go at your pace, explain everything before we do it, and stop whenever you need us to. For some procedures we can also offer oral sedation.
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Yes, from their very first visit. Eligible children may also be covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
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Not for general care. Just call us.
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Call us. We look after visitors as well as locals, and we keep time aside every day for urgent problems.
Your first visit?
Nothing happens that you haven't agreed to. Here's how a first appointment usually goes.
You tell us what's brought you in, and anything that worries you about being here. If it's been a while, or you've had a bad experience somewhere before, say so, it genuinely helps us look after you properly.
We listen.
A gentle examination, and imaging if it's needed, so we can see what's actually going on.
We look.
We explain, and you decide.
We'll talk you through what we've found in plain language, what your options are, and what each one costs. Then you choose. Nothing gets done today that you haven't said yes to.
After your treatment
Find your treatment below. If you are worried about anything at all, call us on (02) 6495 6455. We would always rather hear from you.
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The first 24 hours
Do - Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes - Rest with your head slightly elevated - Use an ice pack on your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, to reduce swelling - Take pain relief as recommended by your dentist - Drink plenty of fluids, but not through a straw
Avoid - Rinsing your mouth vigorously - Smoking or alcohol for 24 hours - Spitting or sucking, which can dislodge the clot and lead to dry socket - Hot drinks, and hard, crunchy or spicy food
After the first 24 hours - Rinse gently with warm salt water, half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water, three or four times a day - Keep to soft foods until healing progresses - Keep the area clean, but avoid brushing directly on the site for a few days - Some swelling or bruising is normal and should settle within a few days
Call us on (02) 6495 6455 if you have - Persistent or severe pain - Bleeding that will not stop - Signs of infection, such as fever, pus or a bad taste - Any unusual swelling after three days
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Dry socket is the most common complication after an extraction. It happens in around 5% of cases, it is very painful, and it is easily treated.
It occurs when the blood clot is lost from the socket, leaving the bone exposed to air, food and fluid, often with an unpleasant odour. It usually appears two or more days after the extraction and can last five to six days. Soreness after an extraction is normal, but pain should be easing by the second day. If it is getting worse instead, call us.
The clot does two jobs. It stops the bleeding, and it forms the framework for new tissue and bone over roughly two months of healing. Dry socket is more common in the lower jaw and in back teeth, where circulation is poorer, and wisdom teeth are the most common site of all. Gum tissue takes three to four weeks to heal. Bone can take up to six months.
It is most often caused by - Smoking before the recommended time. Smoking slows healing, reduces blood supply to the clot, brings toxic products to the area, injures the gum tissue, and the suction itself can pull the clot out - Not caring for the site as instructed - Sucking actions from smoking, sneezing, coughing or spitting within the first 24 hours
Reducing the risk - Do not drink through a straw - Do not smoke - Do not rinse excessively, it interferes with clotting - Keep food out of the area. Chew on the other side, and rinse gently with warm salt water after the first 24 hours
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Pain and swelling Mild discomfort afterwards is normal. Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol will usually be enough. Follow the instructions on the packet, or your dentist's advice. For swelling, hold a cold compress against your face for 15 to 20 minutes, several times a day, for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Brushing and flossing Do not brush the treated areas for the first 24 hours. After that, brush gently with a soft-bristled brush, avoiding the gum tissue right next to the treated area for a few days. Leave flossing in the treated area for a week, then start again gently.
Mouthwash If you have been prescribed a chlorhexidine mouthwash, use it for 30 seconds twice daily and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes afterwards. If you do not have one, warm salt water two or three times a day will soothe the gums. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes for the first few days, they irritate healing tissue.
Rest and smoking Avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 to 48 hours. Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours, it delays healing and increases the risk of infection.
Bleeding Slight bleeding or oozing for a day or two is normal. Do not spit or rinse hard in the first 24 hours. If bleeding is significant and does not stop after 20 to 30 minutes of gentle pressure, call us.
Follow-up Please come to your follow-up appointments. They are how we check the healing and keep your gums on track.
Call us on (02) 6495 6455 if you have - Pain that over-the-counter medication is not touching - Swelling or redness getting worse after two or three days - Signs of infection: pus, a bad taste, fever, or a noticeable increase in swelling - Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure - Anything unusual, such as an allergic reaction or difficulty swallowing or breathing
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What to expect Mild soreness or tenderness in the tooth and surrounding gums is normal for a few days, and you may notice sensitivity when biting or chewing. This should ease over the next two to five days.
Pain relief Over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough, unless your dentist or doctor has told you otherwise. If you were given a prescription, take it exactly as directed.
Eating Avoid chewing on the treated side until the discomfort settles. Stick to soft foods if the tooth feels sensitive, and keep sticky or hard things such as chewing gum, nuts and ice away from that tooth until it is fully restored.
Cleaning Keep brushing and flossing normally, just gently around the treated tooth.
Your temporary filling or crown A temporary restoration is not as strong as the permanent one. Avoid hard food on that side, and call us promptly if it comes loose or breaks.
Please come back and finish the treatment Your root canal is not complete after today's visit. To protect the tooth properly you need to return for the remaining appointments, which may include further cleaning and shaping of the canals, the final filling and sealing, and a permanent filling or crown to restore strength.
If treatment is not completed, the tooth can become reinfected, pain or swelling may return, the tooth may fracture or need to be removed, and the work done so far may have to be repeated. The final restoration is what makes it last.
Call us on (02) 6495 6455 if you have - Pain increasing after two or three days rather than improving - Swelling of the gums, face or jaw - A visible lump or pimple on the gums - An allergic reaction to medication - A temporary filling or crown that has come out - Severe pain, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth
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Cleaning Rinse it with cool water after each use, and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste, it scratches. Mild soap or a denture cleaner is fine occasionally for a deeper clean. Store it dry in its case.
Wearing it Wear it as your dentist has directed, usually at night. If it feels odd at first that is normal, and it should settle within a few nights. Do not try to adjust or bend it yourself.
Looking after it Keep it away from heat, including hot water, sunlight and radiators, or it will warp. Always store it in its case, and keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Check-ups Bring it to every dental appointment so we can check the fit. If it cracks, becomes uncomfortable, or you grind through it, call us for an adjustment or replacement.
If it hurts Mild discomfort at first is normal. If you have persistent pain, pressure or sore teeth, stop wearing it and call us on (02) 6495 6455.
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Congratulations on your new dentures. Here is how to look after them and settle in.
Cleaning Take them out and rinse them after eating. Brush daily with a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive cleanser, not regular toothpaste. Soak them overnight in water or a denture-cleaning solution such as Polident, and rinse well before putting them back in.
Getting used to them Feeling a little awkward at first is completely normal. Practise speaking out loud to help your tongue adjust. Start with soft food cut into small pieces, and chew slowly and evenly on both sides.
Overnight Take them out before bed to let your gums rest, and store them in clean water or denture solution.
Sore spots Mild soreness in the first few days is common. Rinse with warm salt water, half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water, to soothe your gums. Please do not try to adjust the dentures yourself. If the discomfort continues, call us.
Your follow-up appointment Please come to your follow-up so we can check the fit and comfort and make any adjustments. Book within two to three weeks and your first two adjustments are complimentary. A fee may apply for further adjustments after that.
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For the first 48 hours, avoid anything that stains Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, dark berries, dark sauces and acidic food such as citrus. Avoid smoking too, it stains quickly on freshly whitened teeth.
Keep up your usual care Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, rinse with water after eating or drinking, and floss daily.
Sensitivity Some mild sensitivity afterwards is normal and usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. If it lingers, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and avoid very hot or very cold food and drink.
Follow-up Come back and see us if you have any discomfort, or if you would like to talk about further whitening.
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Getting started We take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and use them to make trays moulded to your mouth. These take about a week. When they are ready we will give you the trays and your whitening gel.
Each session Put a small amount of gel into the tray, spread evenly across the front of each tooth. Do not overfill, too much gel causes discomfort and spills onto your gums. Place the trays over your teeth and press gently so they seat properly.
How long to wear them Your dentist will tell you how long to wear them each session.
Afterwards Remove the trays, rinse your mouth with water, and clean the trays in cold water. Never hot, it distorts them.
Results Most people notice a difference in five to seven days, with the full result after two to three weeks of consistent use.
Looking after your results Avoid staining food and drink for at least 24 hours after each session. If your teeth become sensitive, shorten the wear time or take a break between sessions, and call us if it persists. Store the trays clean and dry.
Good to know
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We work with Southern Cross Dental and Straumann Implant Laboratory to give our denture patients the best design and quality for their individual needs.
What we offer - Full and partial acrylic dentures - Partial chrome dentures - Flexible dentures - Implant-retained dentures - Overdentures, including All-on-4 implants
We accept government voucher denture patients.
During treatment, additions to an existing denture are sometimes needed. These go to our lab as part of your treatment plan.
Repairs Our in-house lab does not handle acrylic repairs, so denture repairs are couriered to our partner lab, Southern Cross Dental, in Sydney. So that you are not left without your denture for longer than necessary, we suggest these local technicians instead:
Bega Valley Denture Clinic — 101 Carp Street, Bega NSW 2550, (02) 6492 4142. If your denture was made there, they will book you in for the repair. Pambula Denture Clinic — 4 Quondola Street, (02) 6494 3154.
If a denture breaks and you cannot get to a clinic Keep both pieces, do not try to glue them, and call us on (02) 6495 6455 so we can arrange the repair properly.
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If you already wear dentures, you will know the frustrations.
They come loose, always at the worst possible moment
They rub, and moving around causes sores and irritation
The adhesive routine takes time, every single day
They have to come out for cleaning and soaking every night
The jawbone underneath gradually shrinks
Over time, the face can start to look sunken
An implant-retained denture works differently.
You can taste your food again. A traditional denture covers the roof of your mouth, which blocks flavour from reaching your palate. An implant-retained one does not.
Your bite gets stronger, because the denture is anchored rather than resting. That means a much wider range of food. You can eat a steak again.
Your speech sounds like your speech.
They look more like your own teeth.
For most people this is a significant decision, and it is a surgical procedure, so it deserves proper information rather than a sales pitch. Come and talk to us about whether it is right for you, and what it would involve.
Our mini-implant technology also makes this more affordable than most people expect.
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Anti-wrinkle injections soften fine lines by relaxing the muscles that cause them. They are most often used on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.
How it works The treatment blocks the nerve signals that make certain muscles contract, which softens the lines those muscles create. Results usually last three to four months.
What to expect The appointment takes about 10 to 20 minutes. You can go straight back to your day afterwards, though try not to massage the treated area for 24 hours. You will start to see a difference in two or three days, with the full effect at seven to ten days.
Possible side effects These are uncommon, and usually minor: slight redness or swelling where the injection was given, a mild headache or flu-like feeling, and very rarely a temporarily droopy eyelid.
Looking after yourself afterwards Drink plenty of water, and be gentle with your face and jaw for a day or so. If anything concerns you, call us on (02) 6495 6455.
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Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. It can become sore or irritated, often from stress or clenching, and occasionally from infection.
Signs you might have a problem - Pain in the jaw, face, or around the ear - Clicking or popping when you talk or chew - Difficulty opening your mouth wide - Swelling near the jaw
If any of that sounds familiar, come and see us. There is usually something straightforward we can do, whether that is a night guard, injections to relax the muscle, or simply working out what is setting it off.
Your information and your records
What happens to what you tell us, and how to get hold of your records.
Before any treatment starts we will explain what we have found, what your options are, and what each one costs. Then you decide. If you would rather go away and think about it, please do. Nothing goes ahead until you have said yes to it.
We explain first
Your records are confidential. Only the people involved in your care can see them, and we store them securely.
When you send us a message through this website, we use those details to reply to you and for nothing else. We do not sell or share them.
Your privacy
Moving to us from another practice? Tell us who you were seeing and we will request your records for you. You do not need to chase it yourself.
Moving away, or seeing someone else? Just ask, and we will send your records wherever they need to go.
Want a copy for yourself? You are entitled to one. Call us on (02) 6495 6455 or ask at reception.
Need your records?