Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

When you take your child to a new dentist or if you go yourself, one of the first things that you will often do is have an x-ray taken. Even if you have previous x-rays, it might be a good idea to take a new set to pick up on any problems that might have developed or progressed up since your last appointment.

What Is an X-Ray?

X-rays are like rays of light, but they are not visible. X-rays have more energy than visible light, and they pass through soft tissue, except for hard materials like bone and tooth enamel.

There are different types of dental x-rays, such as bitewing x-rays and extraoral x-rays. Other types of x-rays are intraoral x-rays, periapical x-rays, occlusal x-rays, and a panoramic x-ray. X-rays can target specific teeth or include all the teeth and the upper and lower jaws.

Compared to x-ray film, modern digital x-rays make it easier to transmit images to other offices.

Dental x-rays involve sending a low dose of x-rays through the teeth and jaw. Dental plates within the mouth absorb the x-rays and change color. By looking at the plates, called dental radiographs, the dentist gets a clear picture of what the teeth look like beneath the surface.

When Do Children Need X-Rays?

Initial X-rays

Most children will first have x-rays of the upper and lower teeth after they are about two or three years old.

Subsequent X-rays

After the first set of x-rays, children will usually visit the dentist regularly. How often your child needs x-rays depends on many factors. If children have tooth decay, cavities, or other medical conditions, they might need them more often.

X-rays are used to make sure that the primary teeth are loosening and the adult teeth are coming in well. As your children grow, they will also check if x-rays show signs of impacted wisdom teeth or tooth decay to enable the dentist to treat dental problems early. Dental imaging also helps identify issues with surrounding bone structure, including facial bone composition.

Why Are X-Rays Important?

Your family dentist can see some dental problems by looking inside your mouth. Dentists can't see other problems that are deeper within the tooth or under the gum line. For example, if a periapical x-ray shows infection deeper in the tooth, the dentist could fix the problem before the infection goes deeper into the tooth.

Dentists use x-rays for several reasons, such as:

·      Making sure the teeth are aligned

·      Checking proper jaw placement

·      Detecting cavities that are extending deep into the enamel

·      Monitor bone loss in the supporting bone after an extraction

·      Checking for impacted teeth

·      Evaluating dental implants and gum disease

·      Discovering other problems with emerging teeth and incoming teeth

Different types of x-rays show signs of oral disease, dental disease, or gum disease (or periodontal disease) that might need a root canal or other procedure.

What Are the Risks of X-Rays?

X-rays are a form of radiation. The high energy in x-rays causes some damage to cells in the body. The damage from frequent x-rays can build up over time. Everybody receives a small amount of x-ray radiation in their everyday life from background radiation.

Some forms of x-ray exposure are safer than others. A dental x-ray is a safer type of x-ray that will minimize radiation exposure, so they are relatively safe. The x-ray radiation in a dental x-ray is about the same as the radiation you would absorb from the environment through the course of the day. To put it another way, in one year, you are likely to absorb over 300 times as much radiation as you would from a single dental x-ray.

You or your child might wear a lead-lined apron to protect the rest of your body from stray rays. In general, the benefits of x-rays in preventing tooth damage and infection outweigh the risks from exposure to dental x-ray radiation.

The dentist or technician who takes the x-ray will generally leave the room during the dental x-ray. This is because while one dental x-ray is safe, exposure to dozens or hundreds of x-rays would pose an increased risk for the dentist.

How Can I Protect My Children From X-Ray Risks?

The best way to protect your children from the risks of x-rays is to help them brush their teeth two or three times a day, using proper brushing techniques. As your children get older, teach them to floss and use mouthwash. A healthy mouth requires less attention from the dentist, and that means fewer x-rays.

The dentist will usually order x-rays if there are concerns about a child's oral health. The dentist might also need new x-rays in preparation for dental treatments such as filling a cavity or extracting a tooth.

If your child has no tooth decay after each check-up and cleaning, they will only have to have x-rays taken every so often to keep track of their development and check for any new problems, minimizing their radiation exposure.

Getting X-Rays at the Smile Spa

Meet the Smile Spa Team

The Smile Spa started with Drs. Alex and Inna Silman over ten years ago. Since then, Dr. Diaz, Dr. Epshteyn, and Dr. Darwiche have joined the team. Each dentist on our team is committed to putting the needs of patients first and providing the best possible experience for children and adults.

Our Process

If the dentist decides that you or your child needs x-rays after taking a complete medical and dental history, they will provide medical advice and answer any questions you might have about the dental x-ray procedure or any other aspect of oral health.

If you bring x-rays from your previous dentist, it might not be necessary to take new patient x-rays.

Contact Dr. Silman Today for Your Family's Dental Health

The Smile Spa is here to help you and your family achieve the best dental health possible and have a safe, gentle experience at the dentist's office. We’ll be happy to answer your questions about dental x-rays or any other concerns about oral health. Contact the Smile Spa at any of our locations to make an appointment today.