Quick Tips for Braces

•  Do not miss any appointments.

•  Soft toothbrush - never use a hard toothbrush.   A soft brush will remove plaque better without the risk of damage to the teeth and gums.

•  Flossing - you don't have to floss all you teeth.   Just the ones you want to keep.

•  Lots of holes - Soft drinks are the biggest culprit for people who get a lot of tooth decay.   Stopping will save you $$.

•  Bad breath - have your gums checked regularly. Major causes of bad breath are infected gums due to poor brushing with braces.

•  Bad habits - avoid chewing ice or bones.   Avoid using your teeth to open packets or break string.   Avoid chewing pens and pencils.   Avoid soft drinks.   Avoid between meal snacks.

•  Wear your elastics all the time except for eating, cleaning and replacing.   Call us if you run out.

•  Wear your plate(s) all the time except when playing sport, swimming and cleaning.   Call us if it hurts or rubs on the gum.

•  Tooth knocked out - rinse it gently in water or milk and push it back in to the socket as soon as possible.   If you can't put it back, store in milk or the same mouth and get to a dentist as soon as possible

•  Sport - a mouthguard can save you $$$.   Don't play sport without one.

How to look after your teeth

•  Brush three (3) times per day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush.   Use a jiggling or rolling action making sure to clean right up to the gums and to the back teeth.

Floss once (1) per day using waxed floss.

Appointments

All consultations are strictly by appointment only, but emergencies take priority over routine or non-urgent matters.

If a follow-up consultation is necessary for further explanation and consolidation of information, please request a "long consult" of greater than 30 minutes; our standard appointment duration is 15 minutes.

Accidents/Emergency

Please call immediately and you will be advised of the appropriate action.

For urgent matters after-hours, please phone 49512500.

Calls

Calls to the orthodontist interrupt consultations and inconvenience other patients.   In many cases it is not necessary to speak to the orthodontist personally.   If the receptionist cannot answer your query she will pass on your message.   If necessary, the orthodontist will make contact, usually at the end of the consulting session.   Please state clearly if you feel your call is immediately urgent.

Payment Procedures

Payment may be made with cash, cheque, credit card, EFTPOS and B-Pay facilities.   In no case do the fees charged exceed those in the current A.D.A. list of fees and services.

If you have difficulty in meeting payments, please speak to the receptionist or orthodontist.   If an account has not been paid you may incur a reminder by phone or mail.

Complaints or suggestions