Periodontics for children and teenagers in Palma
Periodontics for children and young people prevents and treats gum disease in children and teenagers. Although we tend to associate it with adults, gingivitis is very common in childhood and adolescence, and in less common cases periodontitis can appear, affecting the bone that holds the teeth in place.
At Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma, we detect and treat these problems early, while they are still easy to resolve, and teach each child how to look after their gums.
The most common in children, and reversible
Don't bleed when brushing
Highest-risk stage, especially with braces
First visit and diagnosis
Do your child’s gums bleed? Book an appointment
We check their gums, find the cause and explain the treatment and how to look after them at home.
Leave us your details and we will call you back within three hours.
Why do children get gum disease?
The main cause is bacterial plaque building up along the gum when brushing is not thorough enough. The bacteria inflame the gum and gingivitis appears: red, swollen gums that bleed. If treated in time, it clears up completely.
If the inflammation continues and spreads to the bone that holds the teeth, periodontitis develops. It is uncommon in children but can happen, sometimes linked to hereditary factors or general illnesses, and in teenagers in more aggressive forms. That is why it is important to check.
Warning signs
Healthy gums are pink, firm and don't bleed. Book an appointment if you notice:
- Red, swollen or enlarged gums.
- Bleeding when brushing or eating.
- Persistent bad breath.
- Pain or tenderness in the gums.
- Receding gums or teeth that look longer.
- Loose teeth that are not baby teeth about to fall out, or pus in the gum.
What increases the risk in children and teenagers?
Poor hygiene
The most common cause: plaque that is not removed inflames the gum within a few days.
Orthodontics
Braces and appliances make cleaning harder and encourage plaque build-up.
Hormonal changes
During puberty, the gums react more strongly to plaque and become inflamed more easily.
Mouth breathing
It dries out the gums and encourages inflammation, especially around the front teeth.
Crowded teeth
Misaligned teeth have areas that are hard to clean.
General illnesses
Some, such as diabetes, and certain hereditary factors increase the risk of gum disease.
Treatment depending on the problem
Treatment depends on whether the inflammation is limited to the gum or has reached the bone:
Gingivitis
It is reversible. The aim is to remove plaque and tartar and improve hygiene at home.
- Professional dental cleaning
- Brushing and flossing instruction
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash for a period, once the child no longer swallows it
- A check-up to make sure the gum has recovered
Periodontitis
It needs deeper treatment to stop bone loss.
- Scaling and root planing, in sections and under local anaesthetic
- Antibiotics in some cases, depending on the type of periodontitis
- Coordination with the paediatrician if there is an underlying illness
- Regular maintenance check-ups
How do we treat your child's gums?
Diagnosis
We examine the gums, gently measure whether there are pockets between the gum and the tooth and, if needed, take X-rays to assess the bone.
Treatment
We remove plaque and tartar with a professional cleaning or, for periodontitis, with deeper scaling. If needed, we prescribe a mouthwash or antibiotic.
Maintenance
We teach your child to brush properly and schedule check-ups to make sure the gums stay healthy.
How to look after your child’s gums
A few simple habits prevent most gum problems:
- Brushing twice a day, reaching the gum line too, with fluoride toothpaste suited to their age.
- Floss or interdental brushes once the teeth are touching, and always if they wear braces.
- Going over younger children's brushing until about age 7 or 8.
- Little sugar and few ultra-processed foods.
- Regular check-ups and dental cleanings.
- Getting advice if they breathe through their mouth or snore.
Looking for adult periodontics?
Arcdental treats children and teenagers. If you are an adult with gum problems, we see you at our other clinics in Palma: see our periodontics and periodontitis treatment pages.
If your child wears braces, we coordinate gum check-ups with our children's orthodontics team.
Who will treat your child
Children's gum problems are treated by Dr Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá and our dental hygienists, Miriam Luque and Diana Santa.
Where to find Arcdental
We treat gum problems in children and teenagers 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 periodontics for children
Is it normal for my child's gums to bleed?
No. Healthy gums don’t bleed when brushing. Bleeding usually means gingivitis from plaque build-up. It is easy to treat, but it is worth having it checked.
Can children get periodontitis?
Yes, although it is uncommon. It can appear in teenagers or in children with hereditary factors or general illnesses, and it should be treated as soon as possible because it affects the bone holding the teeth.
Can gingivitis be cured?
Yes. Gingivitis is reversible: with a professional cleaning and good hygiene at home, the gum usually recovers within a few weeks.
Do braces affect the gums?
They can, because braces make cleaning harder. That is why, during orthodontic treatment, it is important to be extra careful with hygiene and to have check-ups and cleanings more often.
Why do gums become inflamed in adolescence?
Hormonal changes during puberty make the gums react more strongly to plaque. With good hygiene it is easily kept under control.
Does the treatment hurt?
A professional cleaning doesn’t hurt. Scaling for periodontitis is done under local anaesthetic, so your child feels no pain during treatment.
Is it covered by PADI?
For children aged 6 to 15, PADI includes cleaning of permanent teeth when there is tartar. For other treatments, we explain at the visit what is included.
How much does gum treatment for children cost?
It depends on what your child needs. At the free first visit we give you a detailed quote, and you can finance your treatment.