The Scoop About Dental X-Rays

Why We Take X-Rays

Have you ever wondered why your dental office takes x-rays? Because we can only visually see about one-third of your teeth, x-rays are an essential tool for dentists to ensure your overall oral health. Reasons why we take x-rays:

• Check for decay in between teeth and under fillings that is not visible to the naked eye
• Look at bone levels and to check for bone loss
• Look for infection at the tip of the root and inflammation around the tooth
• Get a full view of the teeth and bone before procedures

How Frequent Should I Get X-Rays?

Getting dental x-rays varies on your individual needs. Some patients are recommended to get them as often as every six months, while others may be urged to get them at least once a year. Infection and recent gum disease would play a role in how often you would receive x-rays. If you are seeing a new dentist for the first time, they will often want a set of new x-rays to start out their record and compare in the future.

X-Rays And Radiation

A dental x-ray only gives off 0.005 mSv (microsieverts), that can be comparable to one day of radiation you encounter in your natural day to day environment. If you are pregnant, you can still get x-rays but are advised to only get them if you are having an issue.

X-rays are a useful tool that can be combined with a visual exam to help your dentist be aware of your dental needs. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact us