Dental X-Rays: Why They Are Necessary and Safe

 Dental X-rays play an essential role in protecting your oral health. Many dental problems develop quietly beneath the surface and cannot be seen during a visual exam alone. X-rays allow your dentist to detect issues early, plan appropriate treatment, and help prevent small problems from becoming more serious and costly. 

Dental X-rays help your dentist see what is happening below the gums and inside the teeth. They are used to detect:

• Tooth decay between teeth or under existing fillings
• Infections or abscesses at the root of a tooth
• Bone loss related to gum disease
• Impacted or unerupted teeth
• Cysts, tumors, or other abnormalities
• Changes in bone structure over time

 Without X-rays, many of these conditions may go unnoticed until they cause pain, infection, or tooth loss. 

Yes. Dental X-rays are considered very safe. Modern digital X-ray technology uses extremely low levels of radiation, far less than in the past.

To put this into perspective, the radiation from a single dental X-ray is comparable to the amount of natural background radiation you receive from everyday activities such as being outdoors or taking a short airplane flight.

Your safety is always our priority. We follow the ALARA principle, which means radiation exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable.

We ensure safety by:

• Using digital X-ray systems that significantly reduce radiation
• Taking X-rays only when clinically necessary
• Tailoring X-ray frequency to each patient’s age, dental history, and risk level
• Using protective lead aprons and thyroid collars when appropriate

X-rays are never taken unnecessarily or for routine purposes alone.

 There is no one size fits all schedule. The need for X-rays depends on factors such as:

• Age
• Oral health history
• Risk of cavities or gum disease
• Presence of dental pain or symptoms
• Existing dental restorations

Patients with a higher risk of dental problems may need X-rays more often, while others may require them less frequently.

Dental X-rays are safe for both children and seniors and are carefully adjusted to use the lowest possible exposure.

For children, X-rays help monitor growth, tooth development, and detect decay early. For seniors, they help identify bone loss, root decay, infections, and changes beneath existing dental work.

 We understand that some patients have concerns about radiation exposure. We encourage you to ask questions and discuss your individual needs with our dental team. We are always happy to explain why an X-ray is recommended and how it supports your long term oral health.