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 Teeterville
A knocked-out adult tooth is time-sensitive. Teeterville patients can learn how to handle and store it, why baby teeth differ and what follow-up involves.
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.
Care for Teeterville households, provided at our Port Dover office
Browse every dental service for TeetervilleEvery minute counts
What you do in the first 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, gives it the best chance of reattaching. Baby teeth are handled differently, because putting them back can harm the permanent tooth developing underneath.
If this happens to someone in Teeterville, stay calm, check for more serious injuries and then phone our Port Dover office straight away. The team can talk you through handling and storing the tooth and advise how quickly to set out for the appointment, since timing matters so much with this injury.
In the first minutes
Handle the tooth gently and keep the root moist.
Find the tooth and hold it correctly
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or a quick splash of cold water for a few seconds only. Do not scrub it, wrap it in tissue or let it dry out. Even a short time in the air can damage the delicate cells the root needs to reattach.
Replant or store it safely
If the person is old enough to cooperate and the tooth is clearly an adult tooth, try to place it back in the socket the right way round and have them bite gently on a clean cloth. If that is not possible, keep the tooth in a small container of milk or in the person’s own saliva inside the cheek, as long as there is no risk of swallowing it.
Adult or baby tooth
The type of tooth changes the advice completely.
Why baby teeth are not replanted
A baby tooth that has been knocked out should not be pushed back in, because doing so can injure the permanent tooth bud sitting just above or below it. Control bleeding with gentle pressure, comfort the child and call the dentist for advice. The dentist will check the area, look for broken fragments and watch how the adult tooth develops over time.
Recognizing a permanent tooth
If you are unsure whether a child’s tooth is a baby tooth or an adult one, think about the child’s age and whether that tooth had already been replaced. Permanent front teeth usually arrive in the early school years. When in doubt, keep the tooth moist in milk, describe the situation on the phone and let the dental team guide you.
At the office
The dentist works to stabilize the tooth and protect the area.
Repositioning and splinting
If the tooth has been replanted at home, the dentist checks its position and may adjust it. If it arrives in milk or saliva, it may be cleaned gently and placed back in the socket under local anaesthetic. A flexible splint is often bonded to neighbouring teeth for a short period, holding the tooth steady while the supporting tissues begin to heal.
Checking for other injuries
X-rays help the dentist look for root fractures, damage to nearby teeth or injury to the bone. Cuts to the lips or gums may need attention as well. Depending on the person’s vaccination history and how the injury happened, the dentist may suggest checking with a physician about a tetanus booster. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed after replantation.
Healing and follow-up
Follow-up visits are an essential part of treatment.
Caring for the splinted tooth
Eat soft foods, avoid biting directly on the injured tooth and brush gently around the splint with a soft brush. A mild antibacterial rinse may be recommended. Contact the office if the splint loosens, pain increases or swelling develops. Keep the scheduled appointment to remove the splint, since leaving it on too long or too short can affect healing.
Why monitoring continues for months
A replanted tooth usually needs root canal treatment, often within the first couple of weeks, because the nerve rarely survives this kind of injury in adults. Follow-up X-rays over the following months help the dentist watch for root changes or infection. Families travelling from Teeterville can ask to plan these reviews ahead so they fit around school and work.
Planning your appointment
Act quickly and call before leaving Teeterville.
Phone our Port Dover office immediately after the injury. Explain whose tooth it is, how long it has been out and how it is being stored, and the team will advise on timing and what to do on the way.
Bring the tooth in milk or saliva, any broken pieces you can find and a note of the time the injury happened and any medications the patient takes.
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 can a knocked-out tooth survive?
The sooner it is replanted or stored correctly, the better the outlook. Root cells start to suffer within minutes when the tooth dries out. Keeping it moist in milk or saliva buys valuable time, but it still needs professional care as quickly as possible.
Should I rinse a knocked-out tooth with water?
Only very briefly if it is visibly dirty, holding it by the crown. Do not scrub the root or use soap. Water is not a good storage liquid, so move the tooth into milk or saliva once it has been rinsed.
What if the tooth was a baby tooth?
Do not try to put it back. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth forming underneath. Control any bleeding, keep the child comfortable and call the dentist so the area can be checked and followed over time.
Will the replanted tooth last?
Some replanted teeth function well for many years, while others are eventually affected by root changes. Outcomes depend on how quickly the tooth was replanted, how it was stored and the person’s age. Regular follow-up helps catch problems early.
Can a mouthguard prevent this injury?
A well-fitted mouthguard can lower the risk of teeth being knocked out during sports and other activities with impact risk. It does not remove the risk entirely, but it is a sensible precaution for children, teens and adults who play contact sports.
Injury care for Teeterville families
Dental Emergencies →Dental Trauma Treatment →
A blow to the mouth can loosen, crack or move teeth. Teeterville patients can learn what to do first, when to call 911 and how injuries are followed up.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
Toothache, a fall or facial swelling in a Teeterville child? Learn what to do first, when hospital care is needed and how to reach our Port Dover office.