Treatment of tooth decay in children in Palma
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood. In baby teeth it progresses faster than in permanent teeth, because their enamel is thinner, and it often doesn't hurt until it is very advanced. That is why it is so important to detect it early.
At Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma, we treat decay in babies, children and teenagers, from early lesions to badly damaged teeth, always aiming to save the tooth and to make the experience a calm one for the child.
The most common chronic disease in childhood
With local anaesthetic when needed
Time for the first check-up
First visit and diagnosis
Think your child has decay? Book an appointment
We check your child’s teeth, take any X-rays needed and explain what treatment they need.
Leave us your details and we will call you back within three hours.
Why do children get tooth decay?
Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars in what we eat and drink and produce acids that gradually demineralise the enamel. If this happens often and hygiene is not good enough, the tooth is slowly destroyed.
The biggest factors in children are frequent sugar, especially between meals, falling asleep with a bottle or at the breast with milk or other drinks, not enough brushing and a lack of fluoride. In babies and young children, bottle decay can affect several teeth at once.
How can you tell if your child has decay?
Early decay does not usually hurt, so look out for:
- Chalky white marks near the gum: the first sign of demineralisation.
- Brown or black marks, or small holes in the teeth.
- Sensitivity or pain with cold, hot or sweet things, or when chewing.
- Persistent bad breath.
- A gum abscess or lump, which means the decay has reached the nerve.
Many cavities between the teeth can only be seen on an X-ray. That is why regular check-ups are the best way to detect them.
Treatment depending on the stage of decay
Treatment depends on how far the decay has progressed:
Early decay
When there is only a white mark and the enamel is not broken, it can be stopped without touching the tooth.
- Fluoride at the clinic and at home
- Fissure sealants
- Better hygiene and diet
Established decay
When there is already a cavity, we remove the damaged part and rebuild the tooth with a tooth-coloured filling.
- Fillings
Deep decay
When decay has reached the nerve, we treat the pulp to save the tooth.
Badly damaged tooth
If the tooth has lost a lot of structure, we protect it with a paediatric crown. If it cannot be saved, it is extracted and we consider a space maintainer.
- Paediatric crowns
- Extraction and space maintainer
How do we treat your child's decay?
Diagnosis
We examine the teeth and, if needed, take X-rays to see decay between the teeth and how far it goes.
We explain what treatment each tooth needs and in what order.
Treatment
If needed, we use local anaesthetic so your child feels no pain. We remove the decay and rebuild the tooth. We explain every step in simple words and go at their pace.
Prevention
To stop new decay appearing, we apply fluoride or sealants if their risk makes it advisable, and give you hygiene and diet advice.
How to prevent tooth decay in children
Most childhood decay can be avoided:
- Brush their teeth from the very first one, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste in the right amount for their age.
- Don't put them to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or other drinks, or let them sleep at the breast once they have teeth.
- Cut down on sugar and avoid snacking between meals.
- Go over their brushing until they are about 7 or 8.
- Take your child to the paediatric dentist with their first tooth and then for regular check-ups.
- Ask us about sealants and fluoride if they are at high risk.
Looking to treat decay in an adult?
Arcdental treats children and teenagers. If you are an adult with decay, we treat it at our other clinics in Palma: see our dental filling page.
If your child is between 6 and 15, remember that PADI covers fillings in permanent teeth. Fillings in baby teeth are not included in the programme.
Who will treat your child
Tooth decay in children is treated by our paediatric dentists, Dr Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá, Dr Maria Morro and Dr Ana Ledesma Pavón.
Where to find Arcdental
We treat tooth decay in children 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 tooth decay in children
Does decay in baby teeth need treating?
Yes. Even though they will fall out, baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth, and untreated decay can cause pain and infection and affect the permanent tooth forming underneath.
Does treating decay hurt?
No. If the decay is deep, we use local anaesthetic so your child feels no pain. For small cavities it is often not needed.
What is bottle decay?
It is decay that appears in babies and young children, mainly on the upper teeth, from falling asleep with a bottle or frequently drinking milk, juice or other sugary drinks. It progresses very quickly, which is why the first check-up with the first tooth matters.
Is a white mark on a tooth decay?
It may be the first sign of decay, a demineralisation of the enamel. At this stage it can be stopped with fluoride and good hygiene, without a filling. It is worth having it checked.
How long does treatment take?
A filling usually takes 20 to 40 minutes per tooth. If there are several cavities, we spread them over several short appointments so your child stays comfortable.
Does PADI cover decay?
For children aged 6 to 15, PADI covers fillings in permanent teeth. Fillings in baby teeth are not included, although extractions and urgent treatment of pain or infection are.
How much does it cost to treat decay in a child?
It depends on how many cavities there are and what each tooth needs. At the free first visit we give you a detailed quote, and you can finance your treatment.
What if my child is afraid of the dentist?
We go at their pace and explain every step. If their anxiety is very intense or there are many cavities to treat, we can do it under conscious sedation.