Taking x-rays is a standard procedure in any dentist’s office. It’s swift and painless to take x-rays, but it’s understandable that some people, particularly parents, become concerned about the risks involved, especially regarding radiation exposure. While it’s true that children can be susceptible to overall health problems for various reasons, it is very safe for them to take dental x-rays.
What Are Dental X-Rays?
To understand the full scope of your dental health, your dentist needs to see beyond the surface enamel of your teeth. To get information on the health of your teeth, their roots, your gums, and the bones in your jaw, your dentist takes images of your mouth from several angles. Using x-ray or radiograph technology, these images allow dental professionals to see hidden cavities, impacted teeth, root issues, periodontal disease, and other issues.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?
When it comes to regular x-rays done on your legs, arms, or torso, you typically only need those performed at a doctor’s insistence after being prompted by an injury, pain, or illness. However, dental x-rays are usually done once every year. This is because your dental health is constantly changing, especially when you’re a child. As a child grows, their head and jaw change shape, their baby teeth fall out, and their permanent teeth start growing. To ensure that your child’s teeth are developing and emerging properly, x-rays are necessary.
When the permanent teeth come through, x-rays can help determine what dental work, if any, your child might need in the future, such as Invisalign. Continued dental x-rays will help spot any other common problems early and allow them to get proper treatment as soon as possible to maintain good dental health throughout their lives.
Why Dental Cleanings Are Essential?
How Are X-Rays Made Safe for Children?
Standard film x-ray technology is very safe for children. The radiation a child is exposed to during a typical x-ray session is no worse than the usual radiation they are exposed to on a specific day. They are also given lead vests, and shields are placed on the equipment to help deter unnecessary radiation exposure. Today, x-ray technology is even safer—X-ray machines instead of traditional film. This technology exposes patients to as little as 10 percent as much radiation as they would with a film x-ray. Lead vests and shields are still used as a precaution, lowering the amount of exposure even further.
What Else Should Parents Know About Dental X-Rays for Children?
While adults only need to have x-rays taken once every year, children are more susceptible to tooth decay, and dental issues brought on by the development and emergence of permanent teeth. As a result, your dentist will likely want dental x-rays done on your child once every six months or once a year. Every child is different, so their suggested schedule will differ based on their dental history and any issues that occur as they grow. You may not believe that it’s necessary to have dental x-rays done on your child before they develop their permanent teeth. However, this is false. It’s just as important to get x-rays done on baby teeth as on permanent ones.
Taking x-rays of baby teeth allows dentists to get a good idea of how the child’s permanent teeth will form. Gathering this information early helps your dentist notify parents of any concerns they have about the future dental health of their child and make appropriate plans for any treatment that might be necessary. Some children are very uncomfortable or scared of getting their x-rays taken, but there’s no reason to be concerned about this.
Parents may also be invited into the room for additional support and comfort during any procedure that may make a child particularly anxious.