Dental x-rays are an important part of dentistry and make it far easier for dentists to diagnose and treat disease and dental problems more quickly and efficiently. Nowadays, needing an x-ray during your dental exam in Newcastle is often perfectly normal. However, some people might be a bit concerned about dental x-rays and unaware of why they are needed.
What Is the Purpose of Having Dental X-Rays?
When our dentist visually examines your mouth, they cannot see other structures hidden from view, like the contact areas between your teeth and your tooth roots, jawbone, and any teeth yet to emerge. A dental x-ray allows us to see these structures clearly and is very helpful in identifying problems or signs of infection, sometimes well before you notice any symptoms. Dental x-rays help us treat possible dental issues as early as possible so that the treatment we provide is less invasive, quicker to complete and cheaper. Without dental x-rays, a hidden problem may become worse, causing unpleasant symptoms and requiring advanced treatment.
Who Can Have Dental X-Rays?
When you first visit West Bowmanville Family Dental, we will almost certainly want to take a complete set of dental x-rays. If you have recently had a set of dental x-rays at another dentist, we would be interested in seeing these, but we may still need to take more images. Taking an initial set of x-rays provides a good overview of your current dental health. We can then compare these images with x-rays taken at subsequent dental visits, enabling us to see if there have been any changes to your oral health. These images are especially useful for anyone prone to developing tooth decay or with gum disease or other dental problems.
How Often Will I Need Dental X-Rays?
You will need to get new sets of x-rays periodically, and the frequency will depend on several factors. These include your age, dental health and overall health, whether you have any signs of oral disease that require urgent investigation, and whether you have a history of dental problems, including cavities and gum disease.
An adult in good dental health may only need a set of x-rays every 18 months to 2 years, but if someone has some dental problems that require closer monitoring, we will suggest taking x-rays more frequently.
Children may need x-rays more often than adults, especially as they are more prone to developing cavities as baby teeth have a thin layer of tooth enamel and are more vulnerable to tooth decay. These x-rays also allow us to see the adult teeth yet to emerge and assess if these teeth are developing properly and can come through without any problems.
Are Dental X-Ray Safe?
Modern digital dental x-rays are very safe, and our dental x-ray equipment in Clarington is up-to-date and maintained meticulously. We also take every precaution to minimize your radiation exposure further, using a lead apron to shield your organs and thyroid. You can rest assured we only take x-rays when absolutely necessary. The tiny amount of radiation exposure is far weighed by the benefits of dental x-rays.
Is It Safe to Have Dental X-Rays during Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, please let us know when you visit us so we can make sure we take appropriate precautions to keep you both safe. Because dental x-rays only affect your mouth, they should be safe during pregnancy as your reproductive organs are not exposed to the x-ray. It could be more harmful to leave a dental problem in Courtice untreated during pregnancy.