How This Painless Treatment Stops Cavities Fast Without Drilling or Shots
Stop Cavities in Their Tracks With Silver Diamine Fluoride
The word cavity can cause worry to both parents and children. The idea of hearing the dental drill, and the anxiety of getting a shot to help numb the area can be scary, especially if a child has never experienced this before. While traditional dental fillings are still part of restorative dentistry, there are new techniques that can help stop cavities without the need for those traditional dental tools that children can find so scary. Read to learn more about how We Make Kids Smile is using silver diamine fluoride (SDF) as a way to help with pediatric tooth decay.
What is silver diamine fluoride?
Silver diamine fluoride, also known as SDF, is a safe and simple solution for treating dental caries, or cavities, in children. SDF is an Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical treatment that is used to treat and prevent cavities. The colorless liquid is applied directly to the surface of the tooth, and only takes a few minutes to work.
How does SDF work?
There are two components in SDF that work together to treat cavities. First, there is the silver, which is a bacteria fighter. The silver acts as an antibacterial agent that seeks the bad bacteria that cause a cavity and kills it. The sooner SDF is used, the sooner the decaying process is halted. The fluoride acts as an enamel builder. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen the tooth’s enamel. Together, silver and fluoride create a treatment for current dental cavities, while also fortifying the enamel to help prevent other cavities.
Why Parents and Kids Love SDF
One of the major reasons parents and kids alike love SDF is because the treatment can take a matter of minutes, versus the time it takes the We Make Kids Smile team to put in a standard filling, which can take 30 minutes or more. The SDF treatment eliminates the need to use a drill for the procedure, and no shots are required, which eliminates two common triggers for dental anxiety.
Using SDF is a great way to introduce children to dental procedures needed to help with tooth decay and cavities without the child experiencing any discomfort. Using SDF can also help your child avoid the need for more intensive dental treatments later, like dental crowns or tooth extractions.
When is SDF recommended?
Silver diamine fluoride isn’t a cure for every dental issue. It is, however, good when your dentist discovers an early stage cavity. SDF can help stop a small cavity become a larger cavity that requires a dental filling. SDF is ideal to use on baby teeth because it works to keep the baby tooth healthy and functional until the tooth is ready to fall out naturally.
Dentists also use SDF treatments on cavities that form in hard-to-reach areas because they are harder to access with dental tools, and liquid SDF naturally flows easily into a tooth’s crevices. Finally, SDF treatments may be recommended for children who have anxiety or special needs, like sensory issues or dental anxiety, because the process is easy, painless, and takes much less time to complete than a traditional filling.
What To Expect After SDF Treatment
A silver diamine fluoride treatment is pretty straightforward: The tooth is cleaned and dried, then the SDF liquid is brushed on and allowed to dry. The one thing that surprises people is the color change that happens. Because of the chemical reactions involved in an SDF treatment, the decayed area of the tooth will turn dark brown or black. This is a good sign, because it means the silver is reacting with the decay and the treatment is working. Since this can be a cosmetic concern for permanent teeth, an SDF treatment works best on baby teeth or permanent molars.
A Healthy Smile With Less Stress
At We Make Kids Smile, our pediatric dental offices in Prince Frederick and Waldorf, Maryland, have a goal of providing high-quality dental care that keeps all children’s smiles bright. We know that a positive experience at the dentist during childhood can set the foundation for a lifetime of good dental health.
Since every child’s mouth and dental condition are unique, the best way to determine if an SDF treatment is right for your child is by scheduling a consultation at We Make Kids Smile. We are more than happy to give your child a complete dental checkup and see what treatments may be right for your child. Contact us today to get started!
