Knocked-Out Tooth in Scarborough

When a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, the clock starts right away. A knocked-out tooth (your dentist may call it an avulsed tooth) is one of the few dental situations where acting within minutes can change the outcome. The cells on the root surface that help the tooth reattach start to die soon after it leaves the socket, so the faster you act, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

The first hour matters most. A tooth that is handled correctly and re-implanted quickly usually has a far better chance of being saved than one left to dry out or sit for a long time. Below you will find what to do, what to avoid, and how our five clinics across Scarborough and East York handle same-day care. If this is happening right now, read the steps below and call your nearest emergency dentistry location on your way in.

Stay as calm as you can and follow these steps in order. They are meant to protect the tooth and improve the chance of saving it.

1. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you normally chew with. Never touch or hold it by the root.
2. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently for a few seconds with milk or saline (or briefly with water if that is all you have). Do not scrub it or wipe it with a cloth.
3. Try to place the tooth back into its socket right away, the correct way around. Hold it gently in place by biting down on a clean cloth or gauze.
4. If you cannot reinsert it, keep it moist. Store the tooth in cold milk, in a tooth-preservation kit if you have one, or tucked inside the cheek (for an adult who will not swallow it). Saliva works in a pinch.
5. Control any bleeding from the socket by biting gently on clean gauze, and hold a cold compress on the outside of the lip or cheek for swelling.
6. Get to a dentist right away, ideally within the first hour. Bring the tooth with you and call ahead so the team is ready.

The one thing that matters most is to keep the tooth moist and get to a dental chair fast. Even if you are not sure the tooth can be saved, bring it in and your dentist will assess it.

A few common reactions can lower the chance of saving the tooth. Try to avoid these:

• Don't scrub the tooth, scrape it, or use soap, alcohol, or chemicals to clean it.
• Don't touch or handle the root, since the delicate cells there are what let the tooth reattach.
• Don't let the tooth dry out, because a dry tooth is much harder to save than a moist one.
• Don't wrap the tooth in a dry tissue or paper towel.
• Don't force a tooth back into the socket if it does not slide in easily. Store it moist and let the dentist place it instead.
• Don't put off the visit, even if the bleeding has stopped or the discomfort eases.

When you arrive, your dentist will examine the tooth, the socket, and the nearby teeth and bone, and may take an X-ray to check for fractures or other injury. What happens next depends on the condition of the tooth and how much time has passed.

If the tooth can be saved

If the tooth is viable, your dentist will clean the area and re-implant it into the socket, then steady it with a small splint that holds it against the neighbouring teeth while the ligament and bone heal. You will get aftercare instructions, and a root canal is often needed at a follow-up visit. Your dentist keeps an eye on the healing over the following weeks and will explain what to expect along the way.

If the tooth cannot be saved

Sometimes a tooth has been out too long, has dried out, or is too damaged to re-implant. In that case your dentist will walk you through replacement options to restore your bite and appearance. For a single missing tooth, a single-tooth implant or a dental bridge are common choices, and your dentist will help you decide what suits your situation, timeline, and budget.

Everbright Smiles brings together five family dental clinics across Scarborough and East York: EK Dental in Ionview, Mantra Dental at Markham & Sheppard, PL Dental in Wexford, and VS Dental in Parkview Hills. All five offer the same services, including same-day emergency appointments for a knocked-out tooth, with evening and weekend hours so you can be seen quickly when timing matters most.

Cost should not stop you from getting urgent care. Our clinics accept all dental insurance, including the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), ODSP, and Healthy Smiles. If you have questions about coverage, the team can help when you arrive, or you can reach out through our emergency dentistry page. The priority is getting you and your tooth into the chair as fast as possible.