A dental gel that means no more fillings

Treating cavities in children’s teeth with a gel instead of a drill and anaesthetic injections: this is the latest successful medical innovation from Japan, which has already been trialled in some US states last year. The silver paste (silver diamine fluoride) is put on the rotten tooth and, according to the latest studies, it’s more effective than a filling. The substance can permanently kill the germs and bacteria responsible for the infection and prevent it from returning. The solution has three advantages. First, it means that children don’t have to go through the anxiety and pain associated with the dreaded dentist’s chair. Second, more children will be able to receive the dental care without too many complications. And, last but not least, it is cheaper compared to traditional dental procedures, allowing poorer families to take care of their children’s teeth. The only drawback is that the gel is a bit ‘ugly’ because initially it blackens the teeth. But children much prefer that to the terrible noise of the drill.