Emergency Pediatric Dentist in Falmouth, ME
Tooth knocked out, chipped, or hurting? Call us first.
Call Falmouth Pediatric Dentistry at (207) 781-2272 and tell us what happened. Our team will help you understand what to do right away and when your child should be seen.
Is this a dental emergency?
Reviewed by Dr. John M. Willis, DDS, board-certified pediatric dentist. Last reviewed September 2026.
Call us if your child has:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A baby tooth that was knocked loose or pushed out of position
- A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- A toothache that won’t go away
- Dental pain that keeps them awake
- Swelling in the cheek, jaw, or around a tooth
- A dental injury with bleeding
- A cut to the lips, tongue, or gums that won’t stop bleeding with pressure
- Sudden pain or another dental problem you’re unsure about
Not sure whether it can wait? Call anyway (207) 781-2272.
Knocked-out permanent tooth
What to do right now
This is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water. Don’t scrub it.
- If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket.
- If you can’t put it back, keep it moist in milk.
- Call us immediately and bring the tooth with you.
The sooner a knocked-out permanent tooth is evaluated, the better the chance of saving it.
Knocked-out baby tooth
Don’t try to put a baby tooth back into the socket. Reinserting it could injure the permanent tooth developing underneath. Call us so Dr. Willis can evaluate the gum, surrounding teeth, and area of the injury.
Severe toothache
- Rinse your child’s mouth gently.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek if there’s swelling.
- Give an age-appropriate pain reliever according to the medication directions or your child’s medical provider’s instructions.
- Don’t place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum.
Chipped or broken tooth
- Rinse your child’s mouth gently with water.
- Save any tooth fragments you can find.
- Apply a cold compress if there’s swelling.
- Call us so we can determine how quickly your child should be seen.
Cut lip, tongue, or gum
Gently clean the area and apply steady pressure with clean gauze or cloth. Use a cold compress for swelling. If bleeding is heavy or doesn’t slow with pressure, seek urgent medical care.
When should I go to the ER instead of the dentist?
Dental injuries and tooth pain usually need a dentist, but some situations require emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Significant facial or neck swelling affecting the airway
- Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding
- A suspected broken jaw
- Loss of consciousness
- A serious head injury
- Other symptoms that may be medically life-threatening
For problems involving the tooth itself, call our dental office so we can help determine the next step.
Same-day
pediatric emergency visits
in Falmouth
Call before coming in. That gives our team a chance to understand what happened, prepare for your child, and offer the earliest available appointment.
Our regular office hours are:
- Monday through Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Once your child arrives, Dr. Willis will examine the problem and may recommend digital X-rays if he needs more information about the tooth, root, or surrounding structures.
Then he’ll explain:
- What happened
- Whether the tooth can be repaired
- Whether treatment needs to happen immediately
- What options are available
- What your child can expect next
What if my child is new to Falmouth Pediatric Dentistry?
New patients can call us about dental emergencies, too. The first priority is understanding the problem and helping your child feel safe enough to be evaluated.
Dr. Willis may:
- Examine the injured or painful area
- Take X-rays when needed
- Check surrounding teeth and tissues
- Address immediate concerns
- Recommend the next step in treatment
Some treatment may be completed at the emergency visit. Other care may be scheduled once Dr. Willis has evaluated your child and developed an appropriate plan.
How we treat pediatric dental emergencies
Treatment depends on what happened and how much of the tooth is affected.
Your child may need:
- A filling
- A pediatric dental crown
- An extraction
- Monitoring after a dental injury
- Another restorative treatment based on the diagnosis
When appropriate, Dr. Willis will also consider whether a less invasive approach is an option.
The goal is to address the immediate problem while preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible.
What if my child is scared or in pain?
Dental emergencies can be especially difficult for children who are already anxious about the dentist.
We’ll explain what’s happening in age-appropriate language and adjust the visit based on your child’s comfort and treatment needs.
If your child needs additional support to complete treatment safely and comfortably, Dr. Willis can discuss appropriate comfort or sedation options with you.
Insurance and payment for an emergency dental visit
Emergency dental coverage varies by insurance plan and by the treatment your child needs.
Falmouth Pediatric Dentistry:
- Is in-network with Delta Dental
- Accepts MaineCare
- Works with other dental insurance carriers
- Accepts cash and checks
- Accepts most major credit cards
- Offers CareCredit
Our team can help verify available benefits and submit your insurance claim.
Parents are sharing
the good news
200+ 5-Star Reviews
“
“When my 7-year-old chipped her front tooth, Falmouth Pediatric Dentistry got her in right away. They were patient, kind, and explained every step of the repair. My daughter had a positive experience through an uncomfortable situation.”
– Kimberly P.
“
“It was so easy to get a same-day urgent appointment for my son. Thank you, Dr. John and staff!”
– Sanchita B.
“
“They were able to provide same-day treatment for my child, which was especially helpful since we live far away. Amazing dentist for children. 10/10.”
– Jackie B.
Questions parents ask about pediatric dental emergencies
Should I take my child to the ER or the dentist?
Call the dentist for problems involving a tooth, such as a knocked-out tooth, broken tooth, severe toothache, or dental injury. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, serious head or facial injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, or other potentially life-threatening symptoms.
My child knocked out a baby tooth. Should I put it back?
No. Don’t reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth because doing so can affect the developing permanent tooth underneath it. Call us so Dr. Willis can evaluate the injury and surrounding teeth.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently if needed and try to place it back into the socket if you can do so safely. Otherwise, keep it moist in milk and seek dental care immediately. Call (207) 781-2272 while you’re on the way.
Can you see my child today?
We make room for same-day emergency visits whenever possible. Call (207) 781-2272 as early as you can so our team can offer the soonest available appointment.
What if the emergency happens at night or on the weekend?
If your child has trouble breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, a serious head or facial injury, or another potentially life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Will my child need sedation for emergency treatment?
Not necessarily. The right approach depends on your child’s age, anxiety level, injury, and treatment needs. If additional support is appropriate, Dr. Willis will explain the available options and why he recommends them.
What should I do if my child has facial swelling from a toothache?
Call us promptly. Facial swelling can be associated with a dental infection and should be evaluated. If swelling is rapidly worsening or affecting your child’s ability to breathe or swallow, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Something happened to your child’s tooth? Call us.
Dental emergencies are stressful enough without wondering what you’re supposed to do next. Tell us what happened, and our team will help you understand the next step.
Right here
in Falmouth
Our office is conveniently located in Falmouth, making it easy for local families to visit for pediatric dental and orthodontic care.
VISIT US
6 Fundy Rd. Ste. #200
Falmouth, ME 04105
Monday-Wednesday: 7:30am-4:00pm
Thursday: 7:30am-3:00pm
