A careful attitude to milk teeth leads not only to oral health, but also contributes to the optimal formation of the dentition in general. Responsibility for the health of the child will help to avoid serious problems in the future. The preventive method of silvering teeth can stop the process of demineralization of enamel.
It is important to notice the onset of caries in time. At a late stage, silvering of teeth in children is contraindicated. Parents reviews, in most cases, are positive. This is an inexpensive, time-free method. But the black coloring of milk teeth after silvering can cause psychological stress in a child.
The technique of silvering milk teeth
Baby teeth are prone to caries in the same way as adult teeth. There may be several reasons for this.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Improper nutrition.
- Incorrect oral care.
- Stressful situations during pregnancy.
The process consists in gentle tooth treatment with a 30% silver nitrate solution. - that’s the point. Silvering of deciduous teeth in children is a preventative procedure. The method is suitable for the initial stage of caries. After silvering, a film forms on the enamel surface. It has antiseptic properties. Silver salts contribute to the destruction of harmful bacteria, reduce the amount of plaque.
The silvering of teeth in children prevents the development of the initial stage of caries . Reviews about the method indicate that the procedure is painless. It does not cause fear in the child.
The advantages of silver plating
Before agreeing to a preventative procedure, parents should weigh the disadvantages and advantages of the method. Silvering of deciduous teeth suspends the carious process and takes place in several stages. In most cases, it is enough to take a 3-time silvering course. Between the procedures should be a break from 2 days to a week. After six months, the course should be repeated.
- Silvering is suitable for young children.
- It does not cause fear and pain.
- Tooth treatment is performed with non-toxic materials.
- Low cost of the procedure.
The silvering technique allows preserving the process of tooth decay until the child is ready for the full treatment of caries. This is a quick procedure: with a cotton swab, the affected area of enamel is treated.
Such technology is only possible on milk teeth. Subsequent blackening after silvering will look ugly on permanent teeth.
Contraindications to silvering of teeth
Before the procedure, be sure to discuss with the dentist when the silvering of milk teeth is indicated and when not. There are contraindications that are best identified before the start of a preventive measure.
- Allergy to the components of the drug.
- Caries of dentin.
- The age of the child is more than 3-4 years.
- The presence of somatic diseases.
The unaesthetic smile after the procedure forces parents to postpone silvering of their teeth for children at a later date. A photo, Dental reviews and recommendations warn that early stage caries is a great opportunity for prevention.
If you take time, then tooth damage can lead to serious consequences. Then no preventative measures will benefit. Only treatment or tooth extraction will be possible.
At what age do silvering do?
For an early age, silvering of teeth in children is most effective. Reviews, photos indicate that even babies tolerate the procedure perfectly. If parents noticed matte, whitish spots on the child’s teeth, they should immediately consult a dentist. This is the initial stage of caries, which can be stopped by silvering.
At the age of 2.5 years, a preventive procedure can be carried out. It does not take much time, does not cause discomfort to the child.
After 3-4 years, full treatment should begin. At this age, you can negotiate with the child, make contact. The dentist and parents find the best option for solving the problem. These can be alternative silvering methods. Or treatment with a drill and filling materials.
Why treat baby teeth?
For many years, silvering of teeth has been carried out in children. Reviews parents in some cases are negative. They consist in denying the effectiveness of the treatment of primary teeth. If teeth fall out - why treat them, carry out preventive procedures?
You should know that caries is an infection, the focus of which is located in the oral cavity. It can cause diseases of internal organs or exacerbate existing ailments.
The correct milk bite contributes to the formation of the dentition of the child. Caries can lead to pain and complete removal of the baby tooth. In this case, it is impossible to ensure normal tooth growth and proper bite. Chewing food will be disrupted, which will lead to failure of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system.
Silvering process
The silvering technique is carried out at the initial stage of caries. Only if tooth decay has not yet begun. A medicinal product, upon contact with a damaged surface, promotes the formation of crystals of calcium fluoride and insoluble silver salts. They safely seal the dentinal tubules, which helps to stop the development of caries. The infection does not enter the body, and silver ions neutralize the activity of pathogenic bacteria.
At the beginning of the procedure, the dentist cleans the tooth from plaque. Otherwise, silvering will be ineffective.
A preventive technique is best used on the front teeth. If you silver the chewing surface, you may not notice the carious process that has begun.
After lubricating the enamel with a solution of silver nitrate - the teeth become black. In some cases, they lend themselves to lightening, in some - not. A black tint can persist until the milk tooth changes to a permanent one.
Therefore, parents should consult a doctor, take into account the psychological characteristics of the child, before starting silvering of the teeth. In children (before and after photos) communication problems may occur. Shyness, unwillingness to smile and talk will affect the interaction with peers.
The disadvantages of the method of treatment for silvering teeth
One of the main disadvantages of silvering is that it is not a cure. Parents should remember that this is a preventive measure that allows you to postpone treatment until a conscious age. This is only stabilization of the process, and not restoration of the damaged surface.
- Be sure to monitor the integrity of the coating. If it is broken - it is necessary to update it. Otherwise, the carious process will continue.
- When dentin is damaged, silvering affects the pulp, causing its necrosis. There may be no pain, but subsequently pulp gangrene with or without fistula is possible.
- The composition of the drug tastes unpleasant. If it enters the mucous membrane, it can cause a chemical burn of the oral cavity.
- Staining of milk teeth in black can lead the child to psychological discomfort.
- In case of deep caries damage, the method is ineffective.
Parents should definitely familiarize themselves with alternative methods before starting silvering their teeth in children. Reviews indicate the convenience and low cost of the procedure (from 100 to 300 rubles per tooth). But blackening of the teeth can cause ridicule of peers and depression in the child. And this is an occasion to consider new technologies, consult a dentist.
You should know that a silver film will not save teeth from exposure to food acids. They are able to destroy both the film itself and the enamel under it. Therefore, silvering of teeth in children is considered a temporary procedure. A photo and reviews of doctors indicate the possibility of this method only on a smooth tooth surface.
Is it possible to carry out silvering at home?
It is better to abandon the procedure at home. Drugs that can cause a chemical burn of the oral cavity in a child should be used in medical institutions. There, if necessary, they can provide quick, qualified assistance.
Self-cleaning teeth from plaque will be problematic and will reduce all silvering efforts to nothing. A possible dentin lesion will also render the procedure ineffective. Only a specialist will be able to correctly identify the degree of caries damage and prescribe the necessary treatment or preventive measures.
Alternative techniques
The technique of silvering teeth has been going on for several decades and is considered obsolete. There are modern techniques, after which the smile remains snow-white. Silvering of teeth, benefits and harms This procedure is not hidden by the dentists. Therefore, it is best to discuss preventive measures with your doctor.
Fluoridation (or remineralization) consists in processing enamel with a special drug. The content of fluorine and other beneficial substances in it will protect the tooth from harmful bacteria. The mineral film will cover the enamel and will contribute to the preservation of the tooth.
Individual spoons (or mouth guards ) consist of a wax impression of the teeth that is filled with a fluorine-containing gel. It is placed in the oral cavity for 10 minutes. The entire course consists of 10 procedures. The first must be carried out in the clinic, the next can be done at home.
Fissure sealing consists in processing a glass-like compound. It protects baby teeth from decay, which helps to stop the development of caries.
Ozonation consists in treating teeth with a preparation containing ozone. It causes the death of pathogenic microorganisms, has an antimicrobial effect.
Dr. Komarovsky on the silvering method
Is it worthwhile to silver teeth in children? Komarovsky Evgeny Olegovich, a pediatrician, PhD in medicine, calls the method “an attempt to conserve” the carious process. He emphasizes that silvering is not related to dental treatment. However, the prophylactic technique is carried out quickly, the child does not get tired.
The doctor reiterates that only a specialist can carry out competent silvering. Which will examine the entire oral cavity, will reveal the initial stage of the process. If the caries is deep, then under the silvering film tooth decay will not be noticeable. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the oral cavity after silvering of the teeth in children is performed. Komarovsky E. O. identifies several main points of the methodology.
- If the carious process does not stop 1–2 months after silvering, teeth should be treated in the traditional way (drill, filling materials).
- If the tooth decays, it is better to remove it completely than to have a focus of infection. Its spread to internal organs can cause complications in the children's body.
- If the child does not make contact, but it is necessary to treat (fill, remove the nerve, process the canals), then anesthesia will help to avoid hassle and possible injury from a drill.
Dr. Komarovsky recommends sealing fissures on healthy teeth. Processing is valid for at least six months and is an excellent prophylactic.
He does not recommend the use of fluoride varnish. This is a fairly cheap remedy, but it does not solidify well. And after a few hours it can be completely lubricated with the tooth.
Recommendations for the care of baby teeth
During pregnancy, you should carefully consider your physical and mental condition. The woman's teeth must be in excellent condition so as not to expose herself and the fetus to a possible infection. Unacceptable stress, serious grief, depression. Be sure to monitor the diet, take vitamins with calcium.
- After the birth of a baby, do not lick his nipples, spoons. If the parent has caries - this way transmission to the child is possible.
- Before the first teeth appear, wipe the baby's mouth with moistened cotton pads or gauze.
- When teeth appear, brush them with a special children's brush (without paste).
- Stop night feeding from the bottle. Only normal drinking water is acceptable if the child is naughty at night.
- Sweets are best given in the morning. This applies to sweet cereals, liver, apples, bananas.
- Drink juices through a tube, not more than 100 gr.
- Exclude lollipops, toffee, carbonated drinks.
- As much as possible delay the appearance of chocolate on the table (up to 3 years).
After sweets, be sure to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth with paste (depending on the age of the child).
Healthy teeth contribute to good chewing of food. They participate in articulation and help correct sound pronunciation. Proper oral care, a balanced diet will help avoid tooth decay.