If you were ever a kid with a cavity, you might remember the terror of the dentist's drill. The buildup to the moment was probably worse than the filling itself, but it can be traumatic for some people nonetheless.
A portion of the population has dental problems due to poor dental hygiene, but others are genetically predisposed to have not-so-great teeth. For parents worried about their young children's teeth, there is a treatment that may be new to you, but full disclaimer: It might lead to some stares.
Even babies can get cavities.
If you've had a child with a cavity, you know that they can pop up at just about any age. But did you realize that even babies can get them? Jillian Pretzel, mom to toddler daughter Elle, has been battling cavities with her daughter since she was 1 year old. In an essay for Insider, Pretzel said that she comes from a family with "horrible teeth," and she worried that the condition would be passed down to Elle.
"Don't get me wrong: We brush and floss like the best of them, but our teeth are just soft and delicate, with crevices that welcome clinging grains of sugar and morsels of meat," she explained. "I've gotten the least of this "family curse," with, so far, only a handful of fillings. But I fear my toddler, Elle, has the worst of it."
The mom was proactive.
Knowing there was a chance that Elle would have a mouth full of cavities, Pretzel meticulously took care of her baby's teeth. She brushed them with a rubber toothbrush while Elle napped in her arms. She would also wipe what she thought was plaque from her front teeth but noticed that it wasn't coming off.
Her first thought was cavities, and she was right. A dentist confirmed that Elle had three small cavities on her front teeth, but a treatment was available.
Her dentist recommended silver diamine fluoride.
Although Pretzel had never heard of it, the dentist told her that SDF was a safe and painless alternative to fillings and was much less expensive.
"Still, with safety as my No. 1 priority, I wanted to do my own research. I needed to make sure I wasn't skipping anesthesia risks in favor of a worse list of side effects," she noted.
Her research calmed her nerves.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry approves of the procedure.
The academy researched the use of SDF from 1969 to 2016, and it recommends using SDF to treat cavities in children. The academy explained that the Food and Drug Administration approved SDF for treating adults with sensitive teeth in 2014.
"Aside from fluoridated water, silver diamine fluoride may be the single greatest innovation in pediatric dental health in the last century," Dr. James Nickman, the organization's president and practicing pediatric dentist told the academy. "Given its minimal cost and easy, painless application, it could help close the gap in healthcare disparities."
The research found no significant adverse side effect, but it can turn cavities black, making them more noticeable.
Pretzel opted for the treatment for her daughter.
After discussing the pros and cons, the couple decided to move forward with SDF treatment for Elle. Pretzel knew about the downside of black stains but felt it was worth it.
"When my pediatric dentist warned about the SDF stains, I knew he was worried I wouldn't like the look of Elle's teeth. But my daughter isn't bothered by her stained teeth," she explained in her essay.
The black teeth have turned some heads.
Not surprisingly, people are curious about Elle's discolored teeth. They will ask if she has just eaten something like Oreos. Sometimes, Pretzel goes with it. Other times, she talks about it.
"But most of the time, I'm forced to explain that my daughter has cavities and this was the alternative to general anesthesia. I've gotten some raised eyebrows, but most of the time, other parents empathize with a tough decision," she wrote in her essay. "Plus, they're often interested to hear that fillings aren't the only option. I'm glad to be able to tell them about our experience."
Pretzel has no regrets.
Keeping Elle's teeth in top shape is the mom's biggest concern, and she has no regrets. "I don't mind the look at all. In fact, I kind of like it. It makes her look more like my side of the family," she explained.
Per the academy, children should have regular cleanings and checkups with their dentist every six months.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
