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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment in Wilsonville
A knocked-out adult tooth is time-sensitive. Wilsonville patients can learn how to handle and store the tooth and when to contact our Port Dover dental office.
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Caring for Wilsonville patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for WilsonvilleEvery minute counts
How you handle the tooth in the first hour matters.
When an adult tooth is knocked out completely, the cells on the root surface begin to dry and die quickly. Replanting the tooth soon, or keeping it moist until a dentist can help, gives the best chance of saving it. Knowing the right steps ahead of time helps you act calmly when an accident happens during sport, play or work.
If a tooth is knocked out in or near Wilsonville, follow the first-aid steps below and phone our Port Dover office right away. Explain whether the tooth is a baby or adult tooth and how it has been stored, so the team can advise you while you head in.
First aid
Follow these steps for an adult tooth.
Pick up and rinse the tooth
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 with milk or cold water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it, use soap or wrap it in tissue. Handling the root can damage the cells needed for reattachment.
Replant or store it
If the person is alert and able, 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, store the tooth in milk or in the person’s 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
Do not try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in its socket. Replanting can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Comfort your child, control bleeding with gentle pressure and keep the tooth if you find it. Bring it along to show the dentist.
Still have the child checked
Even though the baby tooth will not be replanted, your child should be examined. The dentist will check for other injuries, broken fragments and damage to nearby teeth. Follow-up visits may be recommended to monitor the developing adult tooth.
At the office
The dentist stabilizes the tooth and checks for damage.
Repositioning and splinting
If the tooth has been replanted, the dentist will check its position, take X-rays and may reposition it slightly. A flexible splint is often attached to neighbouring teeth to hold it in place while it heals. If the tooth was stored, the dentist will clean the socket and replant it if appropriate.
Treating the nerve
Most knocked-out adult teeth will need root canal treatment, as the nerve is usually damaged. The timing depends on the person’s age and how the tooth was stored. The dentist will explain the plan and the long-term outlook, which varies depending on how quickly care was received.
Healing
A replanted tooth needs careful follow-up.
Care at home
Eat soft foods and avoid biting with the injured tooth while the splint is in place. Brush gently and rinse as instructed to keep the area clean. Take any prescribed medication as directed. A tetanus booster may be recommended, especially if the tooth was contaminated with soil.
Long-term monitoring
Replanted teeth need regular reviews and X-rays over months and years. Some teeth heal well, while others may develop root problems later. Report pain, swelling, discoloration or looseness. If the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist can discuss replacement options at the right time.
Planning your appointment
Urgent help from Wilsonville for a knocked-out tooth.
Call our Port Dover office immediately after following first-aid steps. Tell the team whether the tooth was replanted or how it is being stored, so they can prepare for your arrival.
Bring the tooth in milk or in the socket, and let the team know about other injuries and the time the accident happened.
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?
Time is critical. The best outcomes occur when the tooth is replanted quickly, ideally within minutes. Keeping it moist in milk helps if replanting is not possible right away.
Can I store the tooth in water?
Milk is preferred because water can damage the root cells. If milk is not available, saliva or a specialized storage solution are better options than plain water.
Should I clean the root?
Do not scrub the root. Rinse briefly with milk or cold water only if the tooth is dirty, and handle it by the crown to protect the root surface.
Will a replanted tooth last?
Some replanted teeth last many years, while others may develop problems over time. Regular monitoring helps detect issues early so they can be managed.
What if the tooth cannot be found?
See a dentist anyway. The dentist will examine the socket and check whether the tooth may have been pushed into the gum or broken. Replacement options can be discussed later.
Injury and children’s emergency care
Dental Emergencies →Dental Trauma Treatment →
Falls, sports and accidents can loosen, push or break teeth. Wilsonville patients can learn what to do first and when to call our Port Dover office after an injury.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A fall, a swollen cheek or sudden tooth pain can worry any parent. Wilsonville families can learn first steps and when to call our Port Dover office for a child.