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Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment in Jarvis
A knocked-out adult tooth needs action within minutes. Jarvis patients can follow these steps to protect the tooth and call our Port Dover office right away.
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A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance when you act fast.
When a permanent tooth is knocked completely out of its socket, the cells on the root begin to dry and die quickly. Replanting the tooth or storing it properly and getting to a dentist as soon as possible gives it the best chance of reattaching. Baby teeth are handled differently and should not be put back.
If this happens in Jarvis or on the road nearby, call our Port Dover office immediately while you protect the tooth. The team will tell you what to do and how quickly to come in.
Act right away
Gentle handling protects the root.
Handle the tooth correctly
Pick up the tooth by the crown, the white chewing part, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or a gentle stream of cool water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it, dry it, wrap it in tissue or remove any attached tissue fragments.
Replant or store it
If the person is alert and cooperative, gently push the tooth back into the socket, facing the right way, and bite on clean gauze to hold it. If replanting is not possible, place the tooth in milk or inside the cheek of an adult who will not swallow it. Water is a last resort.
Baby or adult
The type of tooth changes the right response.
Adult teeth
Permanent teeth should be replanted or stored as quickly as possible and the dentist contacted immediately. Children generally get their first permanent front teeth around age six or seven. If you are unsure whether a child’s tooth is baby or adult, treat it as adult and call the office.
Baby teeth
Baby teeth should not be replanted, because doing so can damage the developing adult tooth beneath. Keep the tooth if you have it, control bleeding with gauze and call the office for advice. The dentist will check for other injuries and the health of the developing tooth.
At the office
The dentist works to stabilize the tooth.
Repositioning and splinting
If the tooth has been replanted, the dentist checks its position. If not, it is cleaned and placed back in the socket. A flexible splint is usually bonded to neighbouring teeth to hold it steady while it heals. The length of time the splint stays on depends on the injury.
Checking for other damage
X-rays are taken to check for root fractures and damage to surrounding bone. The lips, gums and other teeth are examined. Depending on the time the tooth was out and the person’s age, root canal treatment may be needed later. A tetanus booster might be recommended in some situations.
Healing
A replanted tooth needs careful follow-up.
Home care during splinting
Eat soft foods and avoid biting with the injured tooth. Brush gently and rinse as instructed to keep the area clean. Use pain relief as advised. Call the office if the splint loosens, swelling increases or you develop a fever or worsening pain.
Long-term monitoring
Replanted teeth need follow-up visits over months and sometimes years to check for root changes or nerve damage. Some teeth eventually need further treatment or replacement. Keeping these appointments gives the best chance of identifying and managing any complications early.
Planning your appointment
Calling right away from Jarvis
Phone our Port Dover office immediately after the injury, while protecting the tooth. Tell the team the time it was knocked out and how it has been stored.
Travel with the tooth in milk or replanted in the socket, and bring the person’s health information and tetanus status if known.
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 the tooth?
The sooner the better. The best outcomes happen when the tooth is replanted within minutes. Keep it moist in milk and get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
Can I put a baby tooth back?
No. Replanting a baby tooth can harm the developing adult tooth. Call the office for advice and keep the tooth if you have it.
What if I do not have milk?
Store the tooth in the person’s cheek if they are an adult and will not swallow it, or in a small amount of their saliva. Water is a last resort, as it can damage root cells.
Will the tooth reattach permanently?
Many replanted teeth survive for years, but outcomes vary. Some need root canal treatment or eventually fail. Follow-up visits help monitor healing.
Should I clean the tooth thoroughly?
No. Rinse briefly only if dirty, and never scrub the root. Scrubbing damages the cells needed for reattachment. Hold the tooth by the crown only.
Related injury care
Dental Emergencies →Dental Trauma Treatment →
A fall, collision or sports hit can loosen, crack or move teeth. Jarvis patients should check for serious injury first, then call our Port Dover office for dental advice.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A child’s knocked tooth, toothache or swollen face can be frightening. Jarvis parents can learn which situations need a hospital and when to call our Port Dover office.