Emergency Dentist for Kids in Groton, MA
An urgent dental problem can leave you unsure what your child needs next. Our team will listen carefully, explain what may be happening, and help you decide on an appropriate next step.
- Find the Cause of Your Child's Pain
- Help Your Child Get Relief
- Know Your Kid's Treatment Options
- Save Your Child's Tooth When Possible
-
Dental Care Just for Kids
Gentle dental care for babies, kids, and teens, right here in Groton, MA.
-
A Dentist Who Knows Kids
Dr. Jackie focuses on children's dental care and gets to know your child and your family.
-
Insurance Help for Parents
We’ll review your child’s dental benefits with you and file the claims for you.
-
Here When Your Child Needs Us
Call early in the day and we’ll do our best to see your child the same day.
Not Sure If It’s a Dental Emergency?
START HERE
Start with what you're experiencing. We'll help you understand whether to call us today, schedule the next available appointment, or seek emergency medical care first.
-
CALL US NOW
Call for Urgent Dental Care
These symptoms should be seen quickly. Call us and we’ll do our best to see you the same day when our schedule allows, or at the earliest available time.
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain
- A knocked-out or loose adult tooth
- Swelling in your face or gums
- An abscess or a bad taste that persists
- A broken tooth with pain or a sharp edge
-
URGENT, NOT CRITICAL
Book the Next Available Visit
These concerns do not require immediate care, but should be checked. Schedule an appointment so the problem does not worsen.
- A small chip with no pain
- A lost filling or crown that feels fine
- A dull ache that comes and goes
- A sore jaw or sensitive tooth
- Food stuck under the gum line
-
SERIOUS SYMPTOMS
Head to the ER, Then Call Us
Some symptoms need emergency medical care first. Once you are stable, call us for any dental treatment you may need.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling spreading to your eye or neck
- Bleeding that will not stop with pressure
- A possible broken jaw
- A head injury or loss of consciousness
WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW
Choose what you're dealing with to see what you can do right now, what to avoid, and how we can help once you're in the chair.
Find Your Problem. Know What to Do Next.
What you may be feeling
Severe toothache
Sharp, throbbing, or constant tooth pain can make it hard to eat, sleep, or focus. It may point to deep decay, an infection, or irritation inside the tooth.
What to do right now
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Floss around the tooth to remove anything trapped.
- Hold a cold pack against your cheek for 20 minutes at a time.
- If safe for you, use an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Never place aspirin directly on your gums.
How we can help
We’ll examine the tooth and use digital x-rays when needed to find the source of your pain. Treatment may include a filling, root canal, or extraction depending on what’s causing it, with the goal of relieving your pain and protecting your oral health.
What you may be feeling
Knocked-out tooth
An adult tooth has been completely knocked out of its socket after a fall, hit, or other injury. Acting quickly can improve the chance of saving the tooth.
What to do right now
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
- If it is dirty, gently rinse it with water. Do not scrub it.
- If possible, place it back in the socket without forcing it.
- If you cannot replace it, keep it moist in milk and call us immediately.
How we can help
Time matters with a knocked-out tooth. We’ll examine the area and determine whether the tooth can be repositioned and stabilized. If it cannot be saved, we’ll discuss your options for replacing it and restoring your smile.
What you may be feeling
Broken or Cracked Tooth
A tooth may feel sharp, sensitive, painful when you bite, or look visibly chipped or broken. Even a crack that seems small can extend deeper than you can see.
What to do right now
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Save any broken pieces of the tooth if you can find them.
- Use a cold pack on your cheek if there is swelling.
- Avoid chewing on that side until we can examine the tooth.
How we can help
We’ll check how far the damage extends and whether the nerve is involved. Depending on the tooth, treatment may include bonding, a filling, crown, root canal, or another restorative option.
What you may be feeling
Swelling or Abscess
Swelling, a tender bump on the gums, persistent tooth pain, or a bad taste in your mouth can be signs of a dental infection that should not be ignored.
What to do right now
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Use a cold pack against your cheek to help with swelling.
- Do not squeeze, pop, or drain the swollen area yourself.
- Call us promptly. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care.
How we can help
We’ll locate the source of the infection and determine how far it has spread. Treatment may involve draining the infection, root canal therapy, extraction, or other care based on what we find.
What you may be feeling
Lost Filling or Crown
A filling or crown can loosen or come out while eating, leaving the tooth exposed or sensitive. Even without pain, the tooth underneath can be vulnerable to further damage.
What to do right now
- Rinse your mouth gently and keep the area clean.
- If a crown came off, save it and bring it with you.
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that side.
- Do not use household glue to put a crown back in place.
How we can help
We’ll examine the exposed tooth and check for decay or damage. When possible, we may be able to reattach the crown. Otherwise, we’ll repair or replace the restoration to protect the tooth again.
What you may be feeling
Cut Lip, Gum, or Tongue
A bite, fall, or injury can cause bleeding from the lips, gums, tongue, or other soft tissue inside your mouth. Many minor cuts heal well once the bleeding is controlled.
What to do right now
- Rinse gently with clean water to see where the injury is.
- Apply firm pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding.
- Use a cold pack outside the mouth to help with swelling.
- If bleeding will not stop with pressure or the injury is severe, seek emergency medical care.
How we can help
Once urgent medical concerns are ruled out, we can check your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues for dental damage caused by the injury and treat anything that needs attention.
YOUR EMERGENCY DENTAL VISIT
What to Expect From Emergency Dental Care
Choose what you're dealing with to see what you can do right now, what to avoid, and how we can help once you're in the chair.
-
Step 01
Tell Us About Your Dental Emergency
Tell us what happened and what you’re feeling. We’ll ask about your symptoms, assess how urgent the problem is, and find the soonest appropriate time for you to be seen.
-
Step 02
We Find What’s Causing the Problem
Your emergency dentist will examine the affected area and take digital x-rays when needed to identify the source of tooth pain, swelling, infection, or dental damage.
-
Step 03
We Relieve Pain and Treat the Issue
Getting you comfortable comes first. We’ll address immediate concerns, explain what we found, and walk you through your emergency dental treatment options before moving forward.
-
Step 04
We Plan Any Follow-Up Dental Care
If your tooth needs additional treatment, we’ll create a clear plan for what comes next and schedule the care needed to restore and protect your smile.
Now Welcoming New Patients!
Meet Dr. Jackie
Dr. Jackie St. Pierre completed her dental degree from Boston University and spent the first few years of her career treating patients of all ages in community health centers in Boston. She focused on increasing access to care for children and also completed her Master’s Degree in Public Health. She realized that she both enjoyed and had the greatest impact working with the pediatric population so she decided to complete her pediatric training with NYU Langone in Western Massachusetts and served as chief resident in her final year.
Dr. Jackie is a big advocate for the age one dental visit and focuses on helping her patients develop healthy habits. She strives to make the dental office a positive place for children of all ages and abilities and also has experience treating patients in a hospital setting.
In her spare time, you may find Dr. Jackie on walking trails, baking or watching movies with her family and friends.
Patient Reviews
EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE 101
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For urgent dental needs, call Kindred Smiles as soon as possible. Our team can learn what is happening and determine how quickly we may be able to see your child. Describe the symptoms and when they began so we can understand the urgency.
-
Contact us immediately. Pick up the tooth by its crown, not the root, and keep it moist in milk while your child gets care. Don’t scrub it or reinsert a baby tooth. Acting quickly may improve the chance of saving a permanent tooth. For trouble breathing or serious injury, seek emergency medical care.
-
Yes. Pain going away does not always mean the problem has resolved. Decay, infection, or damage can remain even when symptoms ease. Have us evaluate the tooth, especially if the pain was severe or persistent, or came with swelling or other symptoms.
-
A cool compress on your child’s cheek and gentle rinsing with warm water may offer temporary relief. Home care does not replace an evaluation. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly worsening facial swelling, require immediate medical attention. If symptoms worsen or your child is concerned while waiting, contact our team.
-
The cost of an emergency dental visit depends on what we find during your child’s evaluation and what treatment may be needed. Once our team understands your child’s needs, we can provide more specific information.
Make An Appointment Today!
Monday | Tuesday | Thursday: 8AM - 5PM
Wednesday | Friday: 8AM - 3:30PM
Select Saturdays: 8AM - 1PM
