Silver Diamine Fluoride

Tampa, Florida

At Reef Kids Dental, we are always looking for ways to make dental care more comfortable and effective for our young patients. One of the ways we do that is by offering silver diamine fluoride (SDF), a quick, painless, and non-invasive option to help stall the progression of tooth decay. A visit to our Tampa office will help you determine if SDF is right for your child.

What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride?

SDF is an antimicrobial and remineralizing liquid. When placed on a cavity, it temporarily stops the progression of current decay, helps prevent future decay, and decreases tooth sensitivity - all without anesthetics or lengthy dental treatments.

SDF has two main components: silver and fluoride. Silver is an antimicrobial agent that destroys bacteria and prevents the formation of cavity-causing biofilm. Fluoride, on the other hand, strengthens the tooth enamel and remineralizes it, lowering the risk of further decay while strengthening compromised enamel.

SDF is not a long-term solution for treating cavities like tooth-colored fillings. In certain situations, it can be an excellent option to prevent the progression of tooth decay until definitive treatment can be provided or the tooth falls out. Keep in mind that decayed areas treated with SDF will have permanent black stains. Moreover, the alternative dental treatment will not restore the affected teeth to their natural form and function.

Who Is a Candidate for SDF?

The best candidates for SDF include the following:

Children with cavities beginning to form
Children with multiple cavities
Children with recurrent cavities that are difficult to treat
Children with dental anxiety
Children at a higher risk for tooth decay
Children with special healthcare needs
Young children who can’t sit still or tolerate treatment with traditional fillings

What Are the Benefits of SDF?

SDF offers many benefits to children, including the following:

It is safe, with no reported health risks or serious side effects
It is simple, fast, and cost-effective
It is non-invasive and painless
It is effective at stopping or slowing decay
It relieves tooth sensitivity
It can help delay more significant treatments, such as sedation, fillings, or crowns

What Is the SDF Treatment Process?

SDF application is a quick and simple process. After cleaning and drying the decayed tooth, we will isolate it to avoid contamination. Next, we will brush the SDF solution onto the areas of decay, then place a small layer of fluoride on top of the SDF to help keep it in place. That’s it! Just a few moments and the treatment is done!

Preventing Childhood Cavities

The best way to treat cavities is to continue to focus on prevention. We recommend maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing those pearly whites at least twice daily and flossing every day. We would suggest an adult assist their children until around the age of six or seven. It’s also important to limit the frequency of sugary or acidic foods and drinks to lower the risk of new decay and cavities.

Avoid sending your baby or toddler to bed with a bottle or sippy cup with milk or juice to prevent early childhood cavities. The last thing that should contact your child's teeth at night should be a small amount of toothpaste. This will allow the fluoride to strengthen the teeth overnight without any food or drink interruptions.

Visiting Reef Kids Dental for dental exams and cleanings twice a year is another important measure to keep your child’s smile healthy and sound. Our kid-friendly team will monitor your little one’s oral health to ensure everything stays in tip-top shape.