Babies and toddlers: Many parents aren’t sure about baby tooth decay treatment and don’t know how to treat cavities in toddlers. Their teeth are tiny, they don’t hold still and the younger the child, the greater the risk associated with sedation. SDF can keep teeth from decaying further until they fall out.
Multiple cavities: When a child has a significant number of cavities, the filling process only becomes longer and leads to more discomfort after the fact. Since an SDF treatment can cover up to about eight teeth at once, it’s an effective solution for children with several affected teeth.
Special needs: Children of all ages with special needs may not have the ability to restrict their own movement enough to receive numbing, and may not be able to understand the process enough to remain calm. SDF can treat their cavities in just minutes, without causing undue distress.
Older kids: Baby teeth don’t fall out all at once, and kids up to age 12 or 13 may be dealing with tooth decay in baby teeth as their permanent teeth come in. With a skilled application, SDF can keep decaying baby teeth from negatively impacting surrounding permanent teeth as they emerge and develop.
Genetic predisposition: If you have a family history of cavities, it’s wise to use SDF to lower your child’s risk of developing them. The internationally-recognized safety of silver diamine fluoride makes it an excellent tool for preventing cavities, not just treating them after they have occurred.
There are, however, a few situations where SDF is not recommended. Patients who shouldn’t undergo SDF include:
Those who are allergic to silver.
Those who have an oral ulcerative condition like gingivitis or lichen planus.
Those who have significant damage to front teeth or who don’t want to have stained teeth at all.