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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment in Normandale
A knocked-out adult tooth needs fast action. Normandale residents can learn how to handle, store and replant the tooth and when to call our Port Dover office.
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Handling a knocked-out tooth correctly gives it the best chance of being saved.
When an adult tooth is knocked completely out, the cells on its root surface begin to dry and die quickly. Replanting the tooth promptly, or keeping it moist in the right medium, can improve the chance that it reattaches. A fall, a sports collision or an accident can cause this kind of injury at any age.
If a tooth is knocked out in Normandale, call our Port Dover office as soon as any medical concerns are addressed. The team can give step-by-step guidance over the phone and arrange urgent assessment.
Act quickly
What you do in the first minutes matters most.
Pick it up the right way
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you normally see, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or with saliva, or very briefly with water. Do not scrub it, wrap it in tissue or let it dry out, as this can damage the root cells.
Replant or store it
If possible and the person is alert, gently push the tooth back into its socket and bite on clean gauze to hold it in place. If replanting is not possible, store the tooth in milk or in the person’s saliva inside the cheek if they are old enough not to swallow it. Seek dental care immediately.
Baby teeth
Baby teeth are handled differently.
Do not replant baby teeth
If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not try to replant it. Doing so can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Comfort the child, control bleeding with gentle pressure and call the office for advice. The dentist will check the area and the adult tooth below.
Checking for other injuries
Children with knocked-out teeth may have other injuries to the lips, gums or nearby teeth. Look for signs of head injury such as drowsiness, vomiting or confusion. Seek emergency medical care for any head injury or if bleeding cannot be controlled.
At the visit
The dentist works to stabilize the tooth.
Repositioning and splinting
If the tooth has been replanted, the dentist checks its position and adjusts it if needed. If it was stored, the dentist cleans and replants it. A flexible splint is often bonded to neighbouring teeth to hold it steady while the supporting tissues begin to heal.
Checking surrounding teeth and bone
X-rays help check for root fractures, bone damage and injuries to neighbouring teeth. Soft tissue cuts may need attention. The dentist will discuss whether root canal treatment is likely to be needed, since the nerve inside a knocked-out tooth often does not survive.
Follow-up
Replanted teeth need ongoing attention.
Caring for a splinted tooth
Eat soft foods, avoid biting on the injured tooth and brush gently around the splint. Follow any instructions about rinsing and medications. Contact the office if swelling increases, pain worsens or the splint loosens. The splint is usually removed after a period of healing.
Long-term monitoring
Replanted teeth are monitored with follow-up visits and x-rays over months to years. Root canal treatment is often recommended. Some teeth may eventually be lost despite best efforts, and replacement options can be discussed if that happens. Wearing a mouthguard for sports can help prevent future injuries.
Planning your appointment
Knocked-out tooth help from Normandale
Call our Port Dover office right away after the injury, once medical concerns are managed. Describe what happened and how the tooth is being stored so the team can guide you.
Bring the tooth in milk or saliva, along with any medical information relevant to the injured person.
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 quickly do I need to see a dentist?
As soon as possible. The best outcomes occur when the tooth is replanted quickly or kept moist. Call the office immediately for guidance.
Can I put the tooth in water?
Milk or saliva is better than water for storage. Water can damage root cells over time. If nothing else is available, keep the tooth moist rather than letting it dry.
Should I scrub the tooth if it is dirty?
No. Rinse it briefly in milk or saliva, or very briefly in water if needed, and hold it by the crown. Scrubbing can damage the root surface.
Will the replanted tooth survive?
Some replanted teeth last many years, while others are eventually lost. Outcome depends on how quickly it was replanted and how it was stored. Follow-up care improves the chances.
Why not replant a baby tooth?
Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing beneath it. The dentist will check the area and advise on next steps.
Related injury resources
Dental Emergencies →Dental Trauma Treatment →
A fall, collision or sports knock can injure teeth and gums. Normandale residents can learn what to do first and how our Port Dover team assesses dental trauma.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
Child hurt a tooth or woke with dental pain? Normandale parents can learn first steps, when to go to hospital and how to arrange urgent care at our Port Dover office.