Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment in Hillcrest
Time matters when an adult tooth is knocked out. Hillcrest residents can learn how to handle and store the tooth and why to call our Port Dover office at once.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Hillcrest patients are seen at our Port Dover office
Browse every service for HillcrestAct within minutes
What you do in the first half hour can affect whether the tooth survives.
When an adult tooth is knocked completely out of its socket, the cells on the root surface begin to dry and die quickly. Replanting the tooth soon, or keeping it moist in the right liquid until a dentist can see it, gives the best chance of saving it. Even with fast action, not every tooth can be kept, but delay greatly reduces the odds.
If a tooth has been knocked out in Hillcrest, call our Port Dover office immediately while following the steps below. The team will tell you how quickly to come in and what to bring, or direct you to emergency care if other injuries need attention first.
Right away
Handle the tooth gently and keep the root untouched.
Find and handle the tooth correctly
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white chewing part, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it very briefly in milk or cold water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it, wrap it in tissue or let it dry out. Make sure it is an adult tooth, since baby teeth should never be put back into the socket.
Replant if you can
If the person is alert and cooperative, gently push the tooth back into the socket the right way round, then have them bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place. If that is not possible, keep the tooth moist in milk, a saline solution or the person’s own saliva inside the cheek if they are old enough not to swallow it.
Getting help
Seek care immediately after first aid.
Check for other injuries
A blow strong enough to knock out a tooth may also cause head injuries, cuts or broken bones. Check for confusion, vomiting, drowsiness or loss of consciousness, and go to an emergency department if these are present. Once medical concerns are ruled out or managed, call the dental office straight away and explain that a permanent tooth has been knocked out.
What to bring with you
Bring the tooth in its storage liquid, along with any other fragments you find. Note the time the injury happened and how long the tooth was out of the mouth or dry, as this affects treatment. Bring a list of medications and, for children, information about tetanus immunization, which may be relevant after an injury involving dirt.
At the office
The dentist works to reposition and stabilize the tooth.
Replanting and splinting
If the tooth has not already been replanted, the dentist cleans the socket gently and places the tooth back in position. If it was replanted at home, its position is checked and corrected if needed. A flexible splint is usually attached to neighbouring teeth for a period to hold the tooth steady while the supporting tissues begin to heal.
Checking the surrounding area
X-rays help check for fractures of the tooth or surrounding bone. Cuts to the lips and gums are examined and cleaned. Depending on how long the tooth was out and the stage of root development, the dentist may discuss antibiotics or plan root canal treatment within a few weeks. They will explain the outlook clearly and honestly.
Healing
Follow-up visits are essential after replantation.
Caring for the splinted tooth
Eat soft foods, avoid biting on the injured tooth and keep the area clean with a soft brush and any rinse the dentist recommends. Avoid contact sports until the dentist says it is safe. Return at the scheduled time to have the splint removed. Contact the office if pain increases, swelling appears or the tooth feels loose again.
Long-term monitoring
Replanted teeth need monitoring for months or years, because root changes, infection or discolouration can develop later. X-rays at review visits help track healing. If the tooth cannot be kept in the long run, the dentist will discuss replacement options, timed to suit growth in younger patients. Wearing a mouthguard in sport helps prevent repeat injuries.
Planning your appointment
From Hillcrest, call while you travel.
Phone our Port Dover office immediately after a permanent tooth is knocked out. Explain how long ago it happened and how the tooth is being stored, and the team will advise on getting in as quickly as possible.
If the office is closed or you cannot reach the team quickly, seek emergency care at the nearest hospital rather than waiting.
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
Knocked-out tooth questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
The sooner the better. Outcomes are best when the tooth is replanted within minutes, and chances drop the longer it stays dry. Keeping it moist in milk or saliva helps, but seek dental care immediately regardless of how much time has passed.
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back?
No. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Control bleeding with gentle pressure, keep the child comfortable and call the office for advice about whether they should be examined and when.
Is water okay for storing the tooth?
Water is not ideal because it can damage root cells over time. Milk, saline or saliva are better choices. If water is truly all you have, use it briefly, but replanting or switching to milk as soon as possible is preferable.
Will the replanted tooth need a root canal?
Often, yes, especially for fully formed adult teeth, because the nerve rarely survives. Timing depends on the injury. In younger patients with developing roots, the dentist may monitor for signs of healing first before deciding.
What if the tooth cannot be saved?
Some replanted teeth fail over time. If that happens, options such as an implant, bridge or removable replacement can be discussed. For children and teens, timing is planned around growth, and temporary solutions may be used first.
More on dental injuries
Dental Emergencies →Dental Trauma Treatment →
Falls, sports and accidents can loosen, push or break teeth. Hillcrest patients can learn first steps and how our Port Dover office assesses dental injuries.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A child’s toothache or mouth injury can be frightening. Hillcrest parents can learn helpful first steps and when to call our Port Dover office or a hospital.