Painless, needle-free and quick
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment is a quick, painless way to stop tooth decay in children, with no drilling and no needles. If your child has a cavity and you want a gentle option, SDF treatment for kids may be the right fit. At Little Smiles of Beverly Hills, our pediatric dental team uses silver diamine fluoride to stop cavities from growing, protect baby teeth, and keep young patients comfortable.
No drilling, no needles
The treatment is painless for most children and is applied with a small brush.
Stops cavities from growing
Silver fights decay-causing bacteria while fluoride strengthens the tooth.
Quick and comfortable
The application takes only a few minutes, with no recovery time.
Easy to repeat
It is usually reapplied about every six months, and the treated cavity turns dark, which shows the decay has been stopped.
Little Smiles of Beverly Hillls
Looking for a silver diamine fluoride dentist for your child? Little Smiles of Beverly Hills provides gentle SDF treatment for kids in a child-friendly setting. Serving Beverly Hills and greater Los Angeles, we offer silver diamine fluoride treatment to help stop cavities without drilling or needles.
SDF complements routine fluoride treatment in Beverly Hills, helping manage existing cavities while preventive care reduces the risk of new ones. Dr. Sepehr and Dr. Pedrum work together to strengthen enamel and protect children’s teeth. We also offer dental sealants for kids, also known as fissure sealants, to protect the grooves of back teeth. Schedule an exam to find out which treatments are right for your child.
In dental terms, SDF stands for silver diamine fluoride: a liquid medicine that dentists brush onto a cavity to stop the decay from spreading. Parents also search for it as diamine fluoride, silver diamine treatment or silver fluoride treatment. They all describe the same SDF treatment.
Silver: fights the bacteria that cause decay
Fluoride: strengthens enamel and helps teeth remineralize
Strength: the form used in the United States is 38% silver diamine fluoride
Use: the FDA cleared it in 2014 for tooth sensitivity, and dentists also use it to arrest cavities
SDF cavity treatment stops decay in two ways, and the treated area turns dark to show that the cavity has been arrested.
SDF does not rebuild the shape of the tooth. The cavity stays in place but becomes hard and stops progressing.
How long does silver diamine fluoride take? The application itself usually takes just a few minutes, so most of the visit is spent on the exam and helping your child feel at ease. Because there is no drilling, children usually do not need numbing, and there is no recovery time.
PATIENT REVIEWS
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states in its Policy on the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Pediatric Dental Patients that SDF is safe for both children and adults. Only a very small amount is placed on the affected tooth.
Silver diamine fluoride for kids is especially helpful in these situations:
Not recommended for: children with a silver allergy, painful mouth sores, or cavities that have reached the nerve. Tell your dentist about any allergies before the visit.
SDF works best as a repeat treatment. How long it lasts depends on the size of the cavity, how well your child brushes, and how often they snack on sugary foods. With good home care and regular checkups, SDF-treated teeth can often stay protected until the baby tooth falls out naturally.
| Visit | What happens |
| First visit | SDF is applied to the cavity |
| Soon after (if needed) | The dentist checks that the cavity is hardening |
| About every 6 months | SDF is reapplied at the checkup to keep the decay arrested |
| If a cavity keeps growing | Your dentist may recommend a filling or crown |
SDF is used in children of many ages, from toddlers to teens, and it is especially helpful for very young children and children with special healthcare needs. There is no single right age: your dentist decides based on the cavity, your child’s health, and how well they can cooperate. SDF is most often used on baby teeth, and as your child grows, your dentist may suggest more lasting, natural-looking options for the treated tooth. A first dental visit by the time the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday, helps catch cavities early.
Your dentist decides the dose, and it is always a very small amount applied in the office. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s chairside guide, a child’s age and weight, along with the number of cavities being treated, determine how many drops can be applied safely in one visit. SDF is never given as a home treatment.
It depends on the tooth. SDF is a good choice for small to moderate cavities in baby teeth, especially for young or anxious children, because it needs no drilling or needles. A filling is usually the better choice for larger cavities, front teeth where color matters, or teeth that need their shape rebuilt. Your dentist will recommend the option that fits your child’s tooth and comfort level.
Your dentist will give instructions at the visit, but most children should wait about 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals. If SDF touches the skin, wash it off right away, since it can leave a temporary stain. Keep your follow-up visits so SDF can be reapplied about every six months.
SDF is usually reapplied about every six months to keep a cavity arrested. With good brushing, fewer sugary snacks and regular checkups, treated teeth can often stay protected until the baby tooth falls out.
The dark stain on the treated cavity is permanent. It remains until the tooth is restored with a filling or crown, or until the baby tooth is lost naturally. Healthy enamel is not stained.
SDF can stain skin or gums if it touches them, but the stain is temporary and usually fades within a couple of weeks. The dentist protects the surrounding area during treatment.
The application itself usually takes only a few minutes. Most of the visit is spent on the exam and helping your child feel comfortable.
The dentist examines your child’s teeth, dries the cavity, and brushes on the silver diamine fluoride. There is no drilling and usually no numbing, and your child can return to normal activities right away.
Yes. SDF treatment for cavities stops most small to moderate cavities in baby teeth, especially when it is reapplied on schedule. Cavities with pain, swelling or infection need a different treatment.
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that SDF is safe for children and adults. It is not recommended for children with a silver allergy, painful mouth sores, or cavities that have reached the nerve.
There is no recovery time. Your dentist will usually ask you to wait about 30 minutes before your child eats or drinks, keep brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and limit sugary snacks.
There are no specific foods children need to avoid after silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment alone. Children can generally eat and drink normally once the application has dried. However, if fluoride varnish is also applied, it is recommended to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. To help prevent further tooth decay, parents should limit sugary foods, candies, sticky snacks, and sweetened beverages. Encouraging healthy eating habits and brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste can also help protect children’s teeth.
Whether you call Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, or Santa Monica home, our office makes it easy to give your child a smooth, positive start with SDF treatment. We are conveniently located in 90210.
