When you hear the word “X-ray,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most people think of a doctor looking at an image of a broken bone. But did you know that dentists take X-rays too? It’s true; they’re actually a crucial part of regular dental checkups. But why, exactly? Here’s a basic breakdown of what you should know about dental X-rays.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Important?
Dentists are trained to spot even the tiniest signs of problems with your teeth and gums. However, even their expert eyes can’t catch issues that are hidden below the surface. That’s where dental X-rays come in. Using electromagnetic radiation, X-rays produce images of your teeth and jaws that let your dentist look past your gums and soft tissues to see what’s going on underneath them. They can reveal several types of dental health problems that would be otherwise undetectable, such as cavities in between the teeth, infection in a tooth’s root, or jawbone loss due to gum disease.
How Often Do I Need to Get Dental X-Rays?
It depends. If you have a history of gum disease or other oral health conditions, your dentist will probably recommend that you get X-rays taken at each of your six-month checkups. On the other hand, if your teeth and gums are generally healthy, you might only need X-rays every year or two. If you just started seeing a new dentist, they’ll most likely want to get a full set of X-rays to evaluate the current state of your oral health. Children may also need to have X-rays taken at every visit so that the dentist can keep an eye on their dental development.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Radiation is a part of all X-rays, which may understandably make you feel concerned about their safety. However, the levels of radiation involved are so low that the American Dental Association has deemed dental X-rays perfectly safe for children and adults. If your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of traditional film ones, you can expect them to be even safer, as they emit up to 90% less radiation. Additionally, this amount of radiation is extremely low compared to many other ordinary activities. You’re actually exposed to more radiation when you fly on an airplane than when you get a dental X-ray taken!
The main exception to this rule is pregnancy. As any healthcare professional will tell you, patients who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant should all avoid X-rays.
Getting dental X-rays might not be the most exciting part of your checkup, but they’re integral in helping your dentist catch oral health issues early on. By getting them treated right away, you can save a great deal of time, pain, and money down the road!
About the Author
Dr. Gretchen Anjomi has well over 20 years of experience in the dental field. Throughout that time, she has committed to utilizing the latest technology at Newton Corner Dental Care to improve her patients’ quality of treatment. This includes digital dental X-rays, which not only emit less radiation, but also produce clearer images much more quickly, leading to more precise diagnoses. If it’s time for your next dental checkup and cleaning, you can reach out to Dr. Anjomi by calling 617-332-6232.
