Silver Diamine Fluoride is a treatment medication to slow down the progression of tooth decay and reduce the sensitivity of decayed teeth.  It is frequently recommended for young children who have difficulty tolerating and accepting routine dental treatment that requires local anesthetic (shots and needles) to perform the procedure.  It is safe, effective,  and non invasive.   It has actually been used for many years in areas of the world where there is limited access to dental care.

With the rapid increase in tooth decay in very young  children in America recently,  it's usage has returned as a method to avoid and delay complicated dental treatment.  It is also of recommended for use in patients with Autism, Down's Syndrome,  and other special needs.   

It is primarily used for posterior teeth (in the back of the month) , since it does stain the tooth to a black color.   This straining is acceptable to most patients.   It also has a "bitter " taste which is unpleasant but not harmful to the patient.   SDF is most effective when the patient is willing to IMPROVE their oral hygiene habits at home and DECREASE the amount of sugar that they consume.  In young children the tooth may eventually need to be be restored with a crown or filling when the child is old enough to cooperate for routine fillings in the dental office. 

Ultimately,  the best results are achieved when the child and parent change their previous behavior and improve their diet and oral hygiene habits at home DAILY.   

I hope that this truthful and accurate information is helpful to you and your family.   

Yours for better oral health,   
Dr Steve Branam. 

Lip tie and tongue-tie are a more common diagnosis than health care professionals think. There are approximately 184,000 infants born per year with this condition in the United States.   There are over 1.1 million children 6 years of age or younger who have or have had a lip-tie or tongue tie. 

I personally examine at least 2 to 3 children per week in my office with this condition.  It is very important to understand that both of these conditions affect breastfeeding and bottle feeding in infants and toddlers.  Surgical correction of each condition can be done in a dental office using local anesthetic by a properly trained and educated pediatric dentist.  Unfortunately,  pediatricians and family practice physicians are NOT trained to perform this procedure.   ENT physicians usually perform these lip and tongue-tie procedures under general anesthesia in  the operating room.   

Lactation consultants usually ENCOURAGE to mothers to continue breastfeeding but rarely recommend correction of the condition.   The most common symptoms of lip-tie and tongue-tie infants are burping, gas, stomach aches,  lack of weight gain and frequent feeding.   Mothers will  have painful, cracked, and sore nipples.

Not every child that has a lip-tie or tongue tie needs to be corrected.   The extent of the symptoms determine the surgery necessity.   The mother's desire and need to breastfeed is also important.  Oftentimes, the infant will have difficulty sleeping through the night,  because they are hungry.   

Ultimately,  the parents will decide whether to correct the condition or not.  My experience is that most parents want the correction earlier rather than later.  The correction is done to improve feeding  and digestion, because the most severe outcome of no correction is ACID REFLUX.  This can continue we into adulthood.   

My advice is for parents to educate themselves regarding lip and tongue-tie.  Seek a  early examination by a pediatric dentist and get a second opinion, because only a small percentage of pediatric dentists perform maxillary and mandibular frenectomies routinely.   I personally perform these procedures 70 to 100 times a year.  

I hope that this TRUTHFUL information is helpful to you.   

Dr. Steve Branam 

Tooth decay is a DISEASE that virtually affects everyone.   It is important that you understand that tooth decay and gum disease cannot be eliminated,  but they can be minimized or controlled.  The level of both is primarily determined by the patient or person.  The dentist can help you,  but the oral and dietary habits you have AT HOME DAILY is the most critical factor.  What you do at home DAILY is more important than what the dentist does in the office twice a year at regular check-ups.  The dentist can help you, if you practice good oral and dietary habits routinely.   

The dentist has the obligation to give to the correct information and products to accomplish this goal.   The latest home care technology is the use of oral XYLITOL DAILY.   This recommendation is supported by scientific data over the last 20 years.   

Unfortunately,  the vast majority of dentists are not aware is this research.  The continue to recommend using Fluoride ALONE,  because that is recommendation they were taught in dental school many years ago.
Newer products like SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE (SDF) which can be applied in the dental office in a specific manner.  FLUORIDE VARNISH can be applied at home by the caregiver or parent wiht direction from the dentist or hygienist. Unfortunately, most dentists are NOT FAMILIAR  with these products, because they are new and have been clinically proven to be very effective in reducing tooth decay.  Your dentist should recommend either of them as an alternative to fillings.   

I hope that this truthful I formation is helpful to to and it will definitely save you money for extensive dental work.   

Yours for better oral health,   
Dr. Steve Branam