Baby dentistry in Palma
Baby dentistry looks after your child's mouth from the first months: preventing decay, monitoring teething and giving parents advice on hygiene, diet and habits. Starting early is the best way to avoid problems and to help your child get used to the dentist without fear.
At Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma, we see babies from their first tooth. The first visit is free.
Time for the first visit, before age one
Approximate age of the first tooth
Baby teeth by around age 2 or 3
First visit and advice
Book your baby’s free first visit
We check your baby’s mouth, answer your questions about teeth, breastfeeding, dummies or brushing, and give you advice for home.
Leave us your details and we will call you back within three hours.
When should you take your baby to the dentist?
The first visit should be when the first tooth comes through, usually at around 6 months, and always before the first birthday. This is what paediatric dentistry societies recommend.
It is not a visit for treatment, but to check that everything is going well and to show parents how to look after their baby's mouth. It also helps your child get to know the dentist in a calm setting, without any pain involved.
What happens at the first visit?
It is a short, relaxed visit, with your baby in your arms:
- We check the gums, the teeth that have come through and the mouth in general.
- We make sure there are no marks suggesting early decay.
- We show you how to clean the gums and brush the first teeth.
- We talk about breastfeeding, bottles, dummies and diet.
- We explain which toothpaste to use and how much.
- We answer all your questions about teething.
When do baby teeth come through?
Every baby has their own pace, and a delay of a few months is usually normal. These are the approximate ages:
Central incisors
The two lower ones between 6 and 10 months, and the two upper ones between 8 and 12.
Lateral incisors
On either side of the central ones, between 9 and 16 months.
First molars
Between 13 and 19 months.
Canines
Between 16 and 23 months.
Second molars
Between 23 and 33 months. These complete the 20 baby teeth.
If they are late
If no tooth has come through by 12 or 13 months, mention it at the check-up.
Your baby’s oral hygiene, step by step
Caring for the mouth starts even before the first tooth:
- Before teeth: wipe the gums with a damp gauze or a silicone finger brush, once a day and especially before bed.
- From the first tooth: brush twice a day with a soft children's toothbrush.
- Use toothpaste with 1,000 ppm fluoride, a smear the size of a grain of rice, until age 3.
- The last brush of the day, after the last feed and before sleep, is the most important.
- There is no need to rinse: just remove the excess toothpaste.
- Parents brush until the child has the dexterity, and then go over it until about age 7 or 8.
Bottles, dummies and early childhood decay
Early childhood decay, also called bottle decay, appears when teeth are frequently in contact with sugar, especially at night. It progresses very quickly and usually starts on the upper teeth. To prevent it, don't put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or other drinks, don't sweeten the dummy with honey or sugar, and start using a cup at around one year old.
Dummies are normal in the first years, but prolonged use can change the shape of the palate and bite. We recommend phasing them out at around 2 or 3. If you are worried, we can assess it at the check-up. More information on our paediatric dentistry page.
Who will see your baby
Babies are seen by our paediatric dentists, Dr Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá, Dr Maria Morro and Dr Ana Ledesma Pavón.
Where to find Arcdental
We see babies at Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma.
Our children's dental clinic
Arcdental
Carrer de Sevilla, 8, ground floor
Son Dameto · 07013 Palma
- Monday and Wednesday
- 16:00–20:00
- Tuesday
- 9:00–13:00 · 16:00–20:00
- Thursday
- 13:00–19:00
- Friday
- 15:00–19:00
By car
Street parking and the pay car park at Hospital Juaneda Miramar, a 3-minute walk away. There is also free parking on Camí de la Vileta, about a 10-minute walk away.
Go to the car parkBy taxi
Taxi ranks at Carrer de Son Espanyolet, 58 and Carrer de Pasqual Ribot, 1.
Frequently asked questions about baby dentistry
Can breastfeeding cause tooth decay?
Breastfeeding does not cause decay on its own and has many benefits. The risk increases when, once the teeth are through, the baby feeds very frequently at night, also has other sugars and their teeth are not brushed. That is why brushing before bed is so important.
How can I tell if my baby is teething?
The most common signs are drooling more than usual, biting and putting everything in their mouth, swollen or red gums where the tooth is coming, being more irritable and sleeping worse. Sometimes you can see a small white bump under the gum just before it comes through.
How can I ease teething discomfort?
Chilled teething rings (from the fridge, not the freezer) and gently massaging the gum with a clean finger can help. Anaesthetic gels are not recommended for babies. If your baby has a high temperature, see your paediatrician, as teething does not usually cause it.
What toothpaste should a baby use?
A 1,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste, a smear the size of a grain of rice, from the first tooth until age 3. There is no need for a special fluoride-free toothpaste: fluoride in that amount is safe and is what protects against decay.
From what age is fluoride recommended?
From the first tooth, through toothpaste in the right amount for their age. If your baby has a high risk of decay, we can apply fluoride at the clinic.
What is early childhood decay?
It is decay that appears in babies and young children, often from frequent contact with sugar, especially at night with a bottle. It usually starts as white marks on the upper teeth and progresses quickly, so it is important to check it early.
Is it normal for my baby to grind their teeth?
Yes, it is common when the teeth start coming through: the baby is exploring how they fit together. It usually stops on its own. If it is very intense or you notice wear on the teeth, mention it at the check-up.
When should we stop the bottle and dummy?
We recommend starting with a cup at around one year and gradually stopping the bottle, and phasing out the dummy at around 2 or 3 to avoid problems with the palate and bite.