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Quick answer
SDF is a liquid brushed onto a cavity to stop it from growing — no drilling and no shots. The silver fights the bacteria causing the decay and the fluoride helps the tooth harden again; the treated spot turns dark, which is expected.
Stopping Cavities Without Drills or Shots!
What Is It?
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a super liquid that helps stop or slow down cavities (those pesky sugar bugs that eat your teeth)!
How Does It Work?
Silver = Fights the bacteria that cause cavities
Fluoride = Helps your tooth become strong again (like armor for your teeth!)
The liquid is brushed right onto the spot where a cavity is starting or growing.
How Well Does It Work?
2 SDF treatments can stop a cavity 70–80% of the time!
Combined with good brushing, flossing, and healthy snacks = super smile success!
It can be reapplied at checkups if the cavity starts again.
If SDF doesn’t stop the cavity, your dentist will talk to you about the next steps
How Is SDF Applied?
1⃣ Dry the tooth area
2⃣ Brush on a tiny bit of SDF
3⃣ Let it dry & cover with fluoride varnish
4⃣ Rinse!
That’s it—no numbing, no drilling, no ouch!
What Are the Benefits?
Treats multiple teeth in one visit
Quick & easy
No needles or drills
Less spray (aerosols) = cleaner & safer
What About Side Effects?
The treated cavity turns dark (black or brown)—that’s the silver fighting the bacteria!
This doesn’t hurt the healthy tooth around it
If needed, it can be covered with a filling or crown later
Talk to your dentist about how it will look
When SDF Should Not Be Used:
If your child is allergic to silver
If there are painful sores in the mouth (like ulcerative gingivitis)
How to Make It Work Even Better!
Help kids brush & floss every day (especially under age 10!)
Choose healthy snacks – skip the sticky, sugary stuff!
Use fluoride toothpaste and products with xylitol
Drink water to rinse away sugar bugs
After Treatment Instructions
No sticky/chewy snacks (gum, dried fruit, gummies)
No hot drinks (like tea or coffee) for 4 hours
No brushing or flossing until bedtime
Always talk to your Aloha Pediatric Dentist if you have any questions!
Ready to book a first visit?
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Amita Ruehe DDS, MS
Book a first visit
New patients welcome — first visits are paced around your child.
Book onlineSouth Berkeley · (510) 848-6494North Berkeley · (510) 528-1546Orinda · (925) 253-8190This guide is general information for parents, not dental advice for a specific child. If you're worried about your child's teeth, call us.
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