Simple liquid treatment stops cavities in young children without drilling

A major clinical trial has confirmed that a simple liquid called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) can stop cavities in young children without the need for drilling, injections, or anesthesia, according to ScienceDaily Health.

The treatment involves painting the liquid onto affected teeth with a tiny sponge applicator, a process that takes only seconds and does not require sedation or removal of damaged tooth material.

The study, led by the University of Michigan and published in JAMA Pediatrics, involved 830 children under six from dental clinics and federally supported early childhood programs in Michigan, New York, and Iowa.

Results showed that applying a 38% silver diamine fluoride solution every six months successfully stopped decay in more than half of the treated baby teeth.

This approach could reduce thousands of emergency department visits in the U.S. for untreated cavities, which often require dental surgery under general anesthesia.

The findings suggest that SDF could become a widely used, inexpensive alternative for managing childhood tooth decay and preventing painful infections.