In the Know For You To Know
Here you are, you know your child has a cavity but you also know they won’t sit to have it taken care of. You’re thinking about taking your child to the pediatric dentist and face the music or tough it out, after all it’s only a baby tooth and it will fall out. At first toughing it out sounds like a good idea but then you look at their face then into their mouth and realize you have to go.
But what can they do?
There is a special medication that can be applied directly to teeth which can stop or at least slow down the growth of a cavity. This remedy is Silver Diamine Fluoride.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an FDA and ADA (American Dental Association) approved clear topical liquid that is used to treat cavities. It is applied by a pediatric dentist to the cavity area of a tooth to control and help stop the progression of a cavity.
How Does SDF Work?
Silver Diamine Fluoride is composed of two main components, silver and fluoride. The silver part acts as an antimicrobial on the bacteria causing the cavity while the fluoride helps to strengthen and remineralize the tooth. The third accessory component is Diamine which makes the SDF into a liquid.
How Is SDF Applied To Teeth?
Your child’s teeth will be dried and any food or plaque will be removed. SDF is applied to the affected teeth with a small brush and allowed to dry on each tooth for one to two minutes. After this application it is recommended that your child does not eat or drink for at least an hour so the Silver Diamine Fluoride has time to penetrate into the tooth and the cavity.
After SDF is applied the cavity will turn black and stay black. It make take up to a week for the cavity areas to turn black. The black stains on teeth treated with SDF are permanent. The parts of the tooth without the cavity will not turn black.
When Is SDF Recommended?
While Silver Diamine Fluoride is not a substitute for the traditional way cavities are treated, it is another option for treating cavities. Young children, children with special health needs, any child who has a difficult time at the dentist or who may have a lot of cavities may benefit from this type of care.
What Are The Benefits Of SDF?
Silver Diamine Fluoride has a number of benefits — Quick to apply, Painless, May stop cavity progression, Relieves tooth sensitivity, Helpful cavity treatment for children who are very young or any child who struggles with appointments and longer procedure times.
Are There Any Risks With SDF?
Some common risks are — All cavity areas will stain black while healthy tooth structure will not stain; If Sliver Diamine Fluoride touches skin or the gums, a harmless temporary brown or white stain may appear on that area, which will disappear on its own in one to three weeks; Some may notice a metallic taste but this is temporary; SDF may not stop cavities from progressing and other treatments may need to be discussed.
SDF Is Just Not For Some Children
SDF contains silver and children who are allergic to silver or who have mouth sores or ulcers in their mouth should not have it applied to their teeth. It should also not be used when the cavity is very deep and has compromised the tooth. Some parents may not want the cavity areas on their child’s teeth turning black.
Are There Any Alternatives To SDF?
Two possible alternatives may be — No treatment, which may lead to worsening symptom severity as well as increasing breakdown of teeth; Depending on the extent and location of the cavities other treatment options may be necessary which is an important conversation for you to have with your child’s pediatric dentist.
What’s important is that Silver Diamine Fluoride is a safe, effective alternative treatment that can help your child maintain a healthy smile.
Has your child had SDF applied to their teeth? How did your appointment go? We’d really like to know. Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com Like us or Friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
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