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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Dental Trauma Treatment in Nanticoke
Falls, sports and accidents can loosen, crack or dislodge teeth. Nanticoke patients can learn first steps and how injured teeth are assessed in Port Dover.
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Caring for Nanticoke patients at our Port Dover office
Browse every service for Nanticoke patientsAfter an accident
Injured teeth need both quick action and later follow-up.
Dental injuries can happen on a hockey rink, a slippery dock, a bike path or at home. A tooth may chip, crack, loosen, be pushed out of position or be knocked out completely. The soft tissues and jaw can also be hurt. What happens in the first hour can influence whether a tooth can be saved, so calm, quick steps matter.
If an injury happens in Nanticoke, call our Port Dover office to describe what occurred. The team can tell you what to do on the way, how urgent the situation is and when the dentist can examine the injured teeth and surrounding tissues.
First steps
Look after the whole person before the tooth.
Check for serious injury first
Before focusing on the teeth, check for signs of head injury such as confusion, drowsiness, vomiting or loss of consciousness, and for bleeding that will not stop with pressure. These need emergency medical care. Once those are ruled out, rinse the mouth gently, apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and press clean gauze on bleeding gums.
Protect teeth and pieces
Collect any broken pieces of tooth and keep them moist in milk or saliva. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root, and follow guidance about rinsing and replanting or storing it. Do not replant baby teeth. Call the dental office as quickly as possible for advice on the next steps.
Assessment
The dentist checks what you can see and what you cannot.
Examining teeth and tissues
The dentist examines the injured teeth for fractures, mobility and changes in position, and checks the lips, cheeks, tongue and gums for cuts. The bite is assessed to see whether teeth meet normally. Sometimes injuries affect teeth that look fine at first, so the dentist may also examine neighbouring and opposing teeth closely.
Imaging and baseline records
X-rays help identify root fractures, damage to the surrounding bone and the position of displaced teeth. Photos and test results may be recorded as a baseline. These records are important because injured teeth can change over weeks or months, and comparing later findings with the initial records helps guide decisions about any further treatment.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of injury.
Repositioning and splinting
Loosened or displaced teeth may be gently moved back into position and stabilized with a flexible splint bonded to neighbouring teeth for a period of time. Replanted teeth are usually splinted as well. The dentist will explain how long the splint is expected to stay and what care is needed in the meantime, including diet and cleaning.
Repairing damaged teeth
Chipped or broken teeth may be repaired with bonding, and larger fractures may need a crown. If the nerve is exposed or damaged, root canal treatment may be recommended. Cuts to the lips or gums may need stitches. Severe injuries may require referral to a specialist or hospital, and the dentist will explain if that is advisable.
Follow-up
Injured teeth are often watched for months.
Signs to watch for
In the days after an injury, eat soft foods, avoid biting on the injured teeth and keep the area clean with gentle brushing and rinses as instructed. Report increasing pain, swelling, a pimple on the gum or a tooth that darkens. These can be signs of nerve damage or infection that need attention sooner rather than later.
Why reviews matter
Injured teeth can lose vitality, change colour or develop root problems long after the accident. The dentist will often schedule review appointments to test the teeth and take X-rays. Keep these appointments even if everything feels normal. If the injury happened during sport, ask about a properly fitted mouthguard to reduce future risk.
Planning your appointment
After an injury in Nanticoke
Call our Port Dover office right away to describe the injury and how the teeth look. The team will advise on what to do before you leave and how quickly you should be seen.
Bring any tooth fragments in milk or saliva, and note when and how the injury happened for the dentist.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Dental injury questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
What should I do if a permanent tooth is knocked out?
Handle it by the crown only, rinse briefly if dirty and try to put it back in the socket if you can, or store it in milk or saliva. Contact a dentist immediately, because time strongly affects whether the tooth can be saved.
Should a knocked-out baby tooth be put back in?
No. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Call the office for advice and have the child examined. Seek emergency medical care if there are signs of head injury or bleeding that will not stop.
My tooth was hit but looks fine. Should I still be seen?
It is a good idea. Injuries can damage the root or nerve without visible signs. An examination and X-rays provide a baseline, and the dentist can tell you what changes to watch for over the following weeks and months.
Why has my injured tooth turned grey?
Discolouration after an injury can indicate that the nerve has been damaged or bleeding occurred inside the tooth. Some colour changes improve, while others need treatment. Contact the office so the dentist can assess the tooth and explain the options.
How long will a splint stay on?
It depends on the type of injury. Some splints stay on for a short period and others longer. The dentist will explain the expected timeline, how to keep the area clean and when to return for removal and review.
Care for specific dental injuries
Dental Emergencies →Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment →
A knocked-out adult tooth needs fast action. Nanticoke patients can learn how to handle and store the tooth and when to call our Port Dover office right away.
Broken or Chipped Tooth Repair →
Chipped a tooth in Nanticoke? Find out what to do in the first hours, what to save, and how repair options are assessed at our Port Dover dental office.