Silver diamine fluoride liquid stops tooth decay in children

A Phase III clinical trial has confirmed that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) can effectively stop tooth decay in young children without the need for drilling, injections, or sedation. The study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan and published in JAMA Pediatrics, involved 830 children under the age of six.

Participants were recruited from dental clinics, pediatric practices, and Head Start programs across Michigan, New York, and Iowa. The results demonstrated that a 38% silver diamine fluoride solution successfully arrested decay in more than half of the affected baby teeth when applied at six-month intervals.

This non-invasive treatment involves applying the liquid directly to the cavity using a sponge-tipped applicator. The findings offer a potential solution to reduce the number of children requiring emergency department visits or dental surgeries under general anesthesia due to untreated cavities.