Silvering of baby teeth - the effectiveness of the technique for children

Good day, dear readers. If you have young children, then most likely you have heard about different dental procedures for them. Many parents who complain about the poor condition of their children’s teeth can be offered options for solving this problem. Among them is such a popular technique as silvering teeth.

Silvering of baby teeth

As is known, the chemical element silver (Ag) has antibacterial properties, and the main cause of tooth decay, caries, is caused precisely by their activity. Of course, there are other reasons, including demineralization, which we will also look at as we study this topic.

Silvering and fluoridation of baby teeth

Why are teeth silvered in childhood?

Very often in order for frightened mothers to calm down at least for a while. The fear that a child's teeth will deteriorate/fall out prematurely haunts many young parents. After all, this is quite real and they see examples of similar situations among the children of their neighbors, acquaintances, and relatives.

Silvering of teeth in children

If we talk about a medical point of view, it is believed that silvering baby teeth helps in the prevention of caries and even stops its development in the initial stages. As practice shows, this technique often turns out to be quite effective.

What is silvering of teeth

Did you notice that I wrote “often”? The fact is that there are no two identical children who would be affected 100% equally by any method/drug used in medical practice. Pardon the tautology, but I can’t describe this simple fact any other way.

When silvering occurs, tooth enamel becomes noticeably darker. Therefore, this method is used for baby teeth, which will eventually fall out anyway.

Silvering teeth for children

For permanent teeth, this method of prevention is pointless. After all, the surface of the treated tooth does not look aesthetically pleasing at all.

Having discovered obvious signs of caries in their baby, parents run to the children's dental clinic or to private doctors with a request to stop the destructive process. It is very important that the child does not lose his baby teeth. This is where the pediatric dentist needs to decide whether to fill the tooth or silver plate it. For the front incisors, a filling is not the best option. She is holding up extremely poorly. The professionalism of the dentist plays a very important role. He should not choose a technique according to the principle “the more expensive, the better.”

Children's teeth after silvering procedure

Causes

Why does the problem itself arise? It varies from person to person, but most often it’s due to diet and poor oral hygiene. For example, you give sweet juices and lemonades, especially at night. The result is obvious - caries. Does your child eat sweets and cakes? Sugars and carbohydrates are excellent “food” for bacteria that destroy his teeth.

What you can and cannot feed your baby at night

If the diet lacks calcium, vitamin D and other substances valuable for teeth, this can also cause destruction of enamel and other tissues.

• Silvering of baby teeth

Caries of baby teeth

Sometimes babies can have congenital enamel defects. In these cases, silvering is used to prevent future problems. But don’t be lazy to ask what else you need to do to protect fragile teeth.

Causes of caries in baby teeth

Why do children get tooth decay?

There are many reasons for the development of carious formations:

1. Insufficient mineralization of enamel. Baby teeth have porous enamel, which makes it more susceptible to destruction by cariogenic organisms. To strengthen the enamel, it is necessary to ensure that the child eats properly and receives all the necessary substances; a fluoridation procedure can also be recommended.
2. Poor hygiene, exacerbated by the large amount of sweets and carbonated drinks with high sugar content consumed.
3. Eating food contaminated with cariogenic bacteria. This happens when parents lick the spoon with which the child will later eat, or kiss him on the lips.
4. Violation of feeding regime. You should not give food to your child at his first request. It is also forbidden to keep a bottle of sweet liquid near the baby’s crib, giving him the opportunity to constantly drink sugary drinks that destroy his teeth.

How is the teeth silvering procedure performed?

The doctor uses silver nitrate AgNO₃. Of course, not in its pure form, but in the form of a 30% solution. There are also more modern preparations that combine fluoride and silver. They have a pronounced effect in the fight against carious bacteria.

Silvering process

How it works? The drug forms a film of solid insoluble salts on tooth enamel, which not only defeat bacteria, but also prevent the destruction of the enamel even if there are spots on it (demineralization or the initial stage of caries).

The drug is applied for a few minutes, so it does not cause any discomfort. Complete painlessness is guaranteed during the use of the active ingredients.

Silvering of baby teeth

Video - Treatment of caries of temporary teeth using silver impregnation method

Disadvantages of the technique

The main disadvantages of this therapy:

• Deterioration in the appearance of a smile. She turns black. If a child at two years old does not care about how his teeth look, then at 4-5 he will definitely ask his parents to rid him of this terrible dark plaque. It will be impossible to do this. The effect will last until the replacement of the primary milk unit.
• Short duration of positive results. The film, consisting of silver nitrate, gradually loses its protective properties. Then you need to re-process it.
• Low effectiveness for medium and large carious cavities. Silvering is optimal only for shallow caries. But at this stage of the disease, you can use alternative methods that do not turn the teeth black.

How often do you need to silver your teeth?

According to pediatric dentists, the most effective effects of drugs containing silver are as follows:

• repeat silvering of teeth 3 or 5 times;
• this can be done in a row or every other day;
• It is optimal to do this every 4 months. If this is not possible - twice a year.

Silvering teeth in children has a positive effect in terms of protecting not only hard tissues (enamel), but also soft tissues (dentin). The frequency of repetition of procedures is individual for children of different ages. It also depends on how well oral hygiene is implemented and whether the child is fed naturally.

Boy with silvered teeth, teeth after silvering

Indications and contraindications for the procedure

Like any other medical procedure, silvering of teeth has its own indications and contraindications for use.

This technique is indicated only if caries is detected at the spot stage in a child under 3 years of age.

Silvering has the following contraindications:

1. Damage to dentin caries.
2. The child has severe somatic diseases.
3. The child has allergic reactions to the constituent components of medicinal drugs.
4. Age over 3 years, when it is possible to use other methods.

Silvering of teeth - expert opinions on the technique

There are many different opinions among dentists. They constantly argue, arguing for and against silvering teeth, citing research.

Fact one - silver nitrate, if it penetrates deep into the tooth tissue, can damage the pulp.

One-component argenate - material for use in the initial forms of development of carious processes (liquid 5 ml)

What do doctors suggest? Nowadays, there are a lot of combination drugs that are effective, but safer.

Fact two - combination drugs contain fluorides, which, according to some scientists, can be harmful.

Benefits of silvering teeth

Dentists have differing opinions. Some say that the dose of this halogen is insignificant and cannot harm a person. Others argue that even microdoses that exceed the body's actual needs are a health threat.

• Silvering of teeth in children

1. If caries has affected the chewing teeth, the procedure is unlikely to be beneficial.
2. With advanced caries, there is also no guarantee that silver nitrate will be able to stop the process.
3. Do not forget that the surface of the enamel will be covered with a brown or even black film.

Silvering of baby teeth “Pros” and “Cons”:

Therefore, before going to the doctor, think about whether it is worth silvering your teeth or using another technique. As long as there is a small white spot on the tooth, it is not at all necessary to resort to radical measures. It may make sense to start the demineralization procedure. There are special products applied to the enamel for this purpose. You also need to make sure that the child brushes his teeth and eats properly.

Silvering of teeth in children

In the USA and most European countries, this technique is no longer used, being considered outdated. In the CIS, there are still few worthy alternatives that would be sufficiently effective and would not have side effects.

Do not forget that before applying silver preparations, soft and hard deposits must be completely removed from the teeth. When a three-year-old child sits in a dental chair, this is very problematic. He will spin around, avoiding what he considers “scary” medical instruments.

You cannot apply Saforite, Argenate or other products to unbrushed teeth. These two drugs are silver fluoride diamine - combination drugs that are considered the most modern and safe.

"Argenat"

It's important to know that. Unlike fluoridation, silvering teeth yourself at home is contraindicated. Considering that this procedure is not the most expensive, there is no point in violating the instructions of experts and self-medicating.

SILVER PLATING AT HOME

Many parents are interested in whether it is possible to silver teeth themselves? Dentists prohibit doing this, since without medical education it is impossible to carry out silvering correctly using dental preparations.

Silver plating can cause harm instead of benefit if it is applied to a tooth with deep carious lesions. It is impossible to independently determine the degree of tissue damage. Therefore, experimenting with treatment is strictly prohibited.

Another point is to clean the enamel from plaque. Parents will not be able to properly clean the surface of their teeth from plaque, so coating with a silver film “solders” the plaque to the enamel. After this, it will be difficult to clean the enamel from such a layer.

Other dental protection options

Most often, if there are no holes or significant damage on the tooth, experts may recommend fluoridation - regular or deep. Special pastes and other means are also selected to help stop the process of enamel destruction.

Fluoridation of teeth

The use of sodium fluoride is a popular alternative to silver plating, but this method is not a panacea. In addition, if your region has fluoridated water or there is a company whose activities are somehow related to fluoride emissions, the use of such techniques may even be dangerous. After all, poisoning with fluoride compounds causes fluorosis and other diseases.

In addition, fluoridation can only be done after 2 years, when the enamel is formed and strong enough. Otherwise, fluoride will cause a reverse reaction - softening of tooth tissue, which will accelerate their destruction.

Fluoridation of teeth in children

When choosing a technique, much depends on the professionalism of the doctor. His task is to determine which method will be relevant for each specific patient.

• Silvering of teeth in children

Video - Other options for protecting teeth

INDICATIONS

Do all children need the silvering procedure? There are a number of direct indications for the use of silvering:

1. living in a region with water without fluoride;
2. strengthening the molar after installing a filling;
3. prevention of caries development on molars;
4. violation of the integrity of the molar - crack, chip;
5. a white spot on the crown of a tooth is the beginning of carious development;
6. protecting sensitive teeth from food exposure;
7. thin layer of enamel.

Silvering of teeth - what do parents write?

Having studied numerous reviews about teeth silvering written by mothers of babies, I came to the conclusion that doctors often prescribe this procedure simply for the sake of money. That is, they do this, fully aware of the fact that this will not help the child.

Child at the dentist

Not everyone wants their child to walk around with black teeth. Adults don’t care, but other kids will tease you. They don’t understand what this treatment is. Therefore, many mothers and fathers do not take risks, realizing that their teeth will not completely change tomorrow or even in a month. If a child goes to kindergarten and is the only one there with such teeth, expect to come home in tears.

The second point is the hereditary factor. It, like various situations during pregnancy, can affect the destruction of baby teeth no less than caries. No amount of silver will help you here. Many parents and dentists are faced with this problem, either they shrug their shoulders or use fluoride and silver on the principle of “what if it helps.”

Silvering does not always help

The third point is stress. Of course, silvering your teeth doesn’t hurt. Only now, if you are bringing a baby to the doctors who is barely one and a half years old, he will be very nervous.

There are also those parents who are delighted. They had the procedure done on time and, apart from black teeth, there were no negative consequences. The caries stopped, which means the method helped them. There are as many such reviews as those that talk about the uselessness of using this method.

Many children suffer from mineral imbalances. Without understanding it properly, dentists prescribe silver plating. Of course, there is practically no benefit from such work. After all, the problem is “internal” and has nothing to do with caries. Therefore, the destruction continues. To help a child in such circumstances, you need a competent, and most importantly, comprehensive approach, including:

• diet correction;
• prescription of vitamin and mineral complexes;
• external use of pastes and other means of demineralization of enamel;

Girl at the dentist

The most interesting thing is to read how, under pressure from worried parents, permanent teeth are silvered for seven-year-old children. This is nonsense and should not be done under any circumstances. Especially when it comes to caries of permanent teeth. They will not change and will remain black forever! It will be very difficult for the child when he grows up. What to do next? Should I get crowns or veneers after 18 years of age? Don't create additional problems for your children in the future.

Oral hygiene is very important

You can also advise trivial but important things - no matter how capricious children are or struggle, you should brush their teeth twice a day. Choose a good brush and toothpaste. When they grow up, they will thank you for healthy teeth. Do not give them sweets at night, do not feed them, do not give them juices. All these typical mistakes of parents always end equally badly.