How often do I need to take my child for silvering treatments?

Typically, you'll need to take your child in for a follow-up appointment every 6-12 months to maintain the silvering effect.

What's the best way to care for my child's teeth after silvering?

Make sure to brush your child's teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and help them floss once a day to prevent plaque buildup.

Can silvering damage my child's teeth?

No, the silvering process is completely safe and won't damage your child's teeth. However, it's essential to follow a good oral hygiene routine to maintain the results.

How long does the silvering effect last?

The silvering effect can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on your child's oral hygiene habits and diet.

Can I use a regular toothpaste on my child's teeth after silvering?

No, it's best to use a fluoride toothpaste specifically designed for children to maintain the silvering effect and prevent tooth decay.

What if my child experiences sensitivity after the procedure?

If your child experiences sensitivity, try using a desensitizing toothpaste or speaking with your pediatric dentist for further guidance.

Can I use a mouthwash on my child's teeth after silvering?

Yes, but make sure to choose a mouthwash that's specifically designed for children and follow the instructions carefully.

How do I know if my child needs silvering?

If you notice your child's teeth are yellowing or staining, consult with your pediatric dentist to determine the best course of action.

Silvering Your Kid's Teeth - Is It Worth It?

We've never been a family of perfect teeth. My parents, my husband, and I have all had our fair share of dental issues. Maybe that's had some impact on our youngest's teeth, or maybe it's just the fact that we've been doing extended night-time breastfeeding. Our pediatric dentist suggested the latter, and it seems to make sense. I've heard similar stories from other parents, too.

At first, we noticed that our child's top front teeth were starting to yellow. We thought it was just because we'd been a bit slow to start brushing their teeth. Our little one had a few teeth and was still breastfeeding at night, and sometimes we'd miss a day of brushing. We didn't think much of it, considering even milk can leave a residue on teeth, and we were only brushing once a day, sometimes missing a day or two. We were a bit lax about it, and didn't realize that even with a healthy diet like milk and purees, teeth still need regular cleaning.

But when another tooth started chipping even with regular brushing, we knew we had to take our child to the dentist.

I was really worried, because I've seen it happen to my relatives - their teeth turned dark, many of them cracked, and by the time they realized the problem, the decay had spread to their permanent teeth. My relative had to get several teeth extracted under general anesthesia.

When we first took our kid to the dentist, they discovered that the enamel on their teeth was pretty bad - it was super thin, soft, and almost non-existent, which is why one of the teeth started to crumble.

The dentist would gently press on the crumbling tooth, and it would just keep breaking apart. With enamel like that, it's no wonder the chances of getting cavities and ruining the teeth are super high.

We were offered to have the teeth silver-coated. The dentist explained all the details of the procedure and gave us some time to think about it while also recommending a special kids' tooth gel for us to use in the meantime.

We asked which gel was better, Rock or Tuis-Mus, and the dentist told us that both are great, but they have some differences in how they're used.

I'll write a separate review about the Rock gel to cover all the specifics and how it differs from Tuis-Mus.

What is silver-coating teeth?

The name sounds fancy, but let's be real, it doesn't exactly sound appealing. But we were warned and knew what to expect. And since it's just temporary teeth, it's not a big deal. But I wouldn't do it on permanent teeth, and it doesn't seem very logical to me.

So, in simple terms, silver-coating is when a special antiseptic antibacterial solution is applied to the teeth, creating a kind of protective layer on the enamel. It's basically like an antiseptic to prevent bacteria from destroying the tooth with cavities.

This solution contains 30% silver nitrate, which is where the name comes from.

Why do you need silver-coating teeth?

I've got to say, getting your kid's teeth silvered is a pretty common practice to prevent tooth decay or stop it from getting worse early on. It's not a fix for existing cavities, though - that's a whole different story. But if your kid's just starting to get cavities, silvering can kind of put the brakes on it.

In our case, we were trying to prevent cavities from forming in the first place because our kid's teeth have a high risk of getting cavities due to weak enamel.

And let's be real, getting a cavity filled can be a real challenge for little kids - they're not exactly known for their patience in the dentist's chair. That's why some dentists recommend silvering as a way to prevent the cavity from getting worse.

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So, how does silvering teeth work?

The process is pretty straightforward: there are two stages.

First, the dentist just gives your kid's teeth a good cleaning to get rid of any plaque or debris.Then, they use a special tool to apply a silver nitrate solution to the teeth. In our case, it was basically just a cotton swab soaked in the solution.It's a pretty quick process, and your kid might not even realize what's happening. Next thing you know, their teeth are sporting a nice silver coating.

Our kid was a total pro about it, by the way - he opened wide and let the dentist do their thing, and then he was out of there with a big smile on his face.

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Why I think silvering teeth is a good idea for kids

When I was researching different articles, I noticed the information was all over the place. Some said it was pointless, while others claimed it was a must-do. But the one thing I didn't see anywhere was any mention of the potential harm that comes with silvering your teeth.

I was surprised by this omission, especially since our dentist had warned us that it wouldn't look great. She didn't push the idea, but she did explain the benefits and even mentioned that our kid would likely have yellowish teeth until they lost their baby teeth, which might help the color fade a bit.

At the time, I was still considering silvering, but we were given some time to think it over and were offered a trial of fluoridation instead. Our dentist explained that it could help, but silvering was still the more effective option. We'd need to come back for a follow-up to check on the progress and decide what to do next.

Initially, we were thinking of silvering the front teeth, but we also had an issue with the enamel on one of the molars that wasn't visible. After discussing the details, we decided to fluoridate the front teeth and silver the molar, with the added benefit of checking the silvering's effectiveness on the molar later on.

The cost of silvering and fluoridation:

Silvering and fluoridation of children's milk teeth pricesI have to admit, when I wrote my review about silvering teeth, fluoridation didn't really help us. After researching and consulting with other specialists, we decided to silver the front teeth. To be honest, we prioritized keeping the teeth over their aesthetic appearance. Plus, they're temporary, and they'll be replaced eventually. But if we don't do this, there's a high chance the enamel will deteriorate, and cavities will set in.

At the time, my little one was 1.9 years old. Even if it's 3 or 4 years old when cavities start, how do you think they'll handle the drilling and filling process? I'm skeptical that my kids would be able to sit still for it. We take them to the dentist, of course, but even the sound of the air purifier was enough to freak them out. One time, my son refused to show his teeth altogether, and we had to try everything to coax him into it – even cartoons didn't work. And that's just to take a look.

I mentioned earlier how my relative's teeth were left untreated, and now they're 5 years old. They had to have the rotten teeth removed under general anesthesia. I didn't want that for my kids, and I didn't have any reason to think it was a bad idea.

We silvered the front teeth. The cost was surprisingly affordable.

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What we used to silver the teeth:

Japanese product Saforide (Saforide) for silvering teeth

I've got to say, this product is a game-changer. It's based on 38% diaminofluoride silver, and it's hands-down the best silvering agent out there right now. The combination of silver and fluoride properties in this product is what sets it apart. When you apply it to the surface of hard tooth tissues, it forms insoluble compounds of fluoride calcium and silver phosphate. The resulting layer of fluoride calcium boosts enamel and dentin mineralization, while silver seals off enamel pores and dentinal tubules, and also exhibits a strong bactericidal effect.

What's more, silver affects the proteins in the organic matrix of dentin, causing them to coagulate. This also leads to a strengthening of dentin structure and sealing of dentinal tubules. As a result of applying Caforaid, areas of enamel demineralization (in the form of white spots or surface caries) and exposed dentin are stained brown or black. A dense, hard tissue forms, and the carious process is halted.

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Pros of silvering teeth in kids

✔️ Value for money.

I'd rather spend a bit upfront to prevent tooth damage than shell out a fortune for treatment later – and in some cases, even expensive surgeries with anesthesia and tooth extraction. For example, my relatives had to pay around 200,000 rubles. Meanwhile, to silver one tooth costs just 500 rubles.

✔️ Quick.

The whole process took us just a few minutes. In fact, the dentist spent more time explaining what silvering is and how it can help teeth than the procedure itself took – just a quick smear and we were done.

✔️ Not painful.

I've got to admit, I'm not a fan of kids dealing with pain. As adults, we know what we need and can tolerate it, but kids are a different story. They don't understand what's going on, and it's tough to convince them to sit still. I've met some brave kids who'd agree to get their teeth drilled, but that's not my experience. In this case, the tooth is simply coated with a medicated substance, and that's it.

✔️ No harm done.

The procedure is completely harmless for both the kid and their teeth. There's just one thing to consider, which I'll mention in the cons section.

✔️ Protects the teeth.

The tooth is strengthened, and the decay doesn't spread.

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Cons of silvering teeth in kids

✗ Appearance.

Yeah, it's not exactly a pretty sight. The teeth aren't just dark; they're black. And if they're visible, like in our case, it's not exactly aesthetically pleasing. But, weirdly, I never really cared about that from the start. They're black, and you can only see them when the kid smiles. At 2.8 years old, he's in preschool, and the other kids don't seem to notice. Later on, I'll explain to him that the teeth are strong and will eventually fall out, making way for new ones. By the time he's in school, these teeth will be replaced, but we'll have preserved them, and that's what matters.

I consider this the only significant con, as it's just not a pretty sight.

How teeth look after silvering✗ May hide decay.

One thing I've learned is that when your teeth start turning black, it's easy to miss the early signs of cavities forming underneath. Silvering isn't a 100% guarantee against cavities, so it's tough to spot the problem visually. But to avoid missing it, you should visit your dentist regularly so they can check your teeth and catch any issues early.

✗ Only effective in the early stages of cavities.

That's when silvering makes sense - when a spot is forming and the cavity hasn't penetrated the enamel yet. If it's already inside the tooth, this procedure won't do much good.

✗ Temporary protection.

Eventually, you might need to do it again. We didn't have to repeat the process, thankfully, since our dentist said everything looked good.

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Results after a year

When we went back for a checkup a month or two later, our dentist told us there was a small improvement - the surface of our teeth wasn't as rough, and the process of strengthening was underway, albeit slowly.

When we came back a year later to show off our results, our dentist was really impressed. Not only had our teeth hardened, but our enamel had returned to normal, and the tooth that was partially crumbling had become solid again. There was no sign of cavities, and our teeth had stabilized.

When we got our teeth silvered, we were told that the solution would gradually wear off and we might need to do it again. But in our case, it wasn't necessary.

After a year, I'd say the tooth discoloration hasn't faded or become paler. On one molar, where I guess they applied a bit less solution, the color has lightened up.

But the front teeth are still as dark. Maybe they were even darker before, but I don't have a photo to prove it, and now they're like this:

Silvering teeth in kidsI'm still on cloud nine from hearing these results. It's like I've been holding my breath, waiting for this moment – and it's finally here. My kid's teeth have not only stabilized, but they've actually improved.

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Looking back on this review, I'm not regretting the decision to silver my kid's teeth at all. I'm not even fazed by their appearance; what matters most is their health.

If your kid has tooth problems and the dentist suggests silvering, don't worry. You won't be causing harm, but you might just save their teeth.

I'm almost certain that this result wasn't just due to the silvering process, but also the fact that we stuck to our dentist's recommendations to the letter. And the combination of measures we took has paid off.

I'll go into more detail about the entire treatment plan in another review.

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I'm glad I got my teeth silvered. I've gotten used to the color, and I don't think it's a big deal. People don't stare or react when they see my teeth. Plus, it's not like they're going to be permanent - they'll fall out eventually, and I've avoided some more serious problems.

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🦷 I've been to a dentist where they wanted to put a crown on a healthy tooth.

🦷 I had a wisdom tooth removed and they accidentally damaged a nerve, so I had numbness on part of my face for six months.