Looking after our teeth is important and something that's drilled into us from a very young age.
But it's never been more difficult in a world where we have what feels like unlimited access to acidic food and drink at any time of the day. It doesn't help, either, when new warnings are issued about the cost of looking after our gnashers.
Fear not, though, with new research revealing a somewhat cheap way to prevent cavities from forming in our teeth. It can also stop ones we already have from getting worse.
According to a new study by researchers at New York University's (NYU) College of Dentistry, the use of this liquid works wonders as a 'dental sealant'.
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In other words, it forms a layer between the grub you're munching down on and the open bone that is your teeth.
Some of the worst foods for your teeth are high in citric acid or alcohol. They react with bacteria that's in your mouth before slowly eroding the protective enamel in your teeth.
This can happen even if you brush twice a day, with a balanced diet also being important to stopping erosion from occurring.
The NYU study involved 4,000 primary school children over the course of a four-year period, which is pretty in-depth if you ask us.
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Publishing their work in JAMA Pediatrics, the team found that the liquid worked as a really good alternative to traditional sealants.
They said it could help bring down costs when it comes to dental care, given its low-cost nature, and therefore let more people easily look after their teeth.
The liquid in question is silver diamine fluoride, or SDF.
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While it sounds somewhat alien, the liquid is used across the world for treatment of tooth sensitivity and decay. Currently, in the UK, it is only available on license for sensitivity treatment.
Last year, researchers reported that a single treatment of either SDF or sealants prevented 80% of cavities and kept 50% of existing cavities from worsening two years later.
Dental cavities are the most prevalent chronic disease in children and can lead to pain, school absences, and lower academic performance. To prevent cavities, especially among children less likely to see a dentist, the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has thrown its support behind using SDF in schools' programmes.
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Richard Niederman, DMD, professor of epidemiology & health promotion at NYU College of Dentistry and the study’s senior author, said: “A growing body of research shows that SDF—which is quicker to apply and less expensive than sealants—can prevent and arrest cavities, reducing the need for drilling and filling."
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