Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a clear liquid that is applied to the teeth to prevent cavities, stop decay from spreading, and reverse early-stage decay. SDF contains silver, ammonia, and fluoride, as well as water.
SDF at our White Plains office works to stop decay in its tracks by remineralizing the teeth with fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel. The silver in SDF is anti-bacterial so it kills any bacteria that is contributing to the formation of cavities.
Why would my child need a Tooth Extraction?
The most common reason that kids need a tooth extraction is dental trauma due to an oral injury. If their tooth is severely broken or damaged, it may not be possible to repair it with pulpotomy and a dental crown, and it may need to be extracted to prevent further complications. Then, your child will need a space maintainer to keep their teeth in the proper position after losing their baby tooth.
In some cases, tooth decay in a baby or adult tooth can be severe enough to require a tooth extraction. If a pulpotomy or a root canal fails, the tooth will need to be extracted to keep your child’s mouth healthy.
Occasionally, kids may also need tooth extractions due to orthodontic problems. If their teeth are very crowded and they have a narrow palate, for example, one or more baby or adult teeth may need to be extracted to prepare for further orthodontic treatment.
The extraction process in White Plains?
The process of extracting your child’s tooth is very straightforward and simple, and it only takes a few minutes per tooth. To begin, Dr. Belgrade will clean your child’s mouth and thoroughly numb the treatment area to ensure they do not feel any discomfort during the process.
Then, she will use a tool called a “dental elevator” to gently wiggle the tooth until it’s loosened in the socket. Once the tooth is loose and ready to be pulled, she will use dental forceps to grab it by the root and extract it from the socket. Then, the area will be cleaned and sutured to promote healing. This process will be repeated in our White Plains office for each tooth that needs to be pulled.
What can my child eat after an extraction?
Make sure that your child doesn’t eat or consume hot liquids until their mouth is no longer numb. This is to prevent accidental injury. Once the anesthetic has fully worn off, they can eat soft foods but should steer clear of hot foods and drinks for the first 24 hours.
Make sure that your child doesn’t drink through a straw for the first 24 hours, because they need to avoid all forms of suction. Your child will need to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods for the first week. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, apple sauce, pasta, and yogurt.
If you need to chew, try to do so on the other side of your mouth to avoid irritation and getting food particles in the extraction socket. Avoid giving your child spicy foods for the first 24 hours.
