A simple liquid treatment could transform the way childhood cavities are managed, as a major U.S. study has found that a painless application painted onto teeth can stop decay in more than half of treated baby teeth, potentially helping children avoid drills, injections, and invasive dental procedures.
Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the research examined the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF), a topical treatment that can be brushed directly onto the surface of a decayed tooth. Unlike traditional cavity treatment, which requires drilling and removing damaged areas, SDF offers a painless, non-invasive alternative.
The study followed more than 800 children under the age of six and found that applying SDF every six months successfully halted tooth decay in over half of the affected baby teeth.
Silver diamine fluoride has been widely used in several countries for years. In the United States, it was approved in 2014 to treat tooth sensitivity, but it has not yet received formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a cavity treatment. However, many dentists already use it for this purpose.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, New York University College of Dentistry, and the University of Iowa say the findings could support future FDA approval.
