Dental X-rays are a standard part of various procedures when you visit your dentist. They allow your dentist to see beyond the gum into the jaw, sinuses, and teeth roots. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised when a dentist asks you to get a dental X-ray during procedures like cleaning, root canal, or filling. X-rays use radiation.
Some patients are skeptical about dental X-rays’ safety due to potential radiation exposure. As dentist Palm Beach Gardens will tell you, dental X-rays are safe. Read on to get a beer understanding of their safety.
Types of Dental X-rays
Although dental X-rays use radiation, they’re necessary for dental health as they allow the dentist to detect critical issues before progressing into treatment. Radiation exposure is dangerous, but only if it’s too much. To reassure you, dental X-rays use minimal rays to expose underlying issues which can go undetected.
Here are the two main types of dental X-rays.
- Intraoral – X-ray happens inside the mouth.
- Extraoral – It occurs outside the patient’s mouth.
The Safety of Dental X-rays
The radiation rays from a dental X-ray are lesser than those from other types of exposure you encounter daily from:
- Television sets, computers, and smartphones.
- Some building materials like granite countertops and ceramic floor tiles.
- Radiation from sun rays, stars, and the Earth.
- Smoking
- Flying
Suppose a patient is exposed to large doses of radiation during dental X-rays; they can be detrimental enough to increase cancer risk. For this reason, patients shouldn’t be exposed to X-rays often unless it’s necessary. To remain safe, your healthcare provider will assist you in making the right decision by balancing dental X-ray risks and benefits.
Why Dentists Recommend Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays aid a dentist in locating inner areas of decay to administer treatment appropriately. Dentists use X-rays to monitor jaw and tooth growth in adolescents and children if necessary.
Dental practices say dentists can take preventive actions to discover issues that can trouble patients over time. For this reason, a dentist may recommend a dental X-ray to prepare for treatment methods. Since the risk of dental X-rays is almost non-existent, focusing on the benefits will fade your doubts, especially for those who are susceptible to dental problems.
When is a Dental X-Ray Necessary?
Depending on a patient’s dental issues, some problems need an X-ray to help diagnose the exact cause, appropriate treatment, and approach. Sometimes, an X-ray before a dental procedure is necessary for a dentist to plan his actions.
An X-ray can expose more issues that can cause future trouble, making them beneficial compared to the rays a patient is exposed to daily.
Here is a list of some problems a dental X-ray can reveal.
- Extensive tooth decay that hinders extraction
- Malformation of the root canal.
- Bone loss.
- Developing tumors.
- Tooth and gum infections under the skin.
- Hidden teeth lead to abnormal tooth growth.
Without X-rays to foresee these issues, they develop gradually into worse problems. Dental X-rays simplify dealing with problems early, enabling patients to live healthily.
Who Shouldn’t Get Dental X-rays?
After the inception of X-rays, the technology was new to professionals with limited knowledge regarding radiation overexposure to patients. Hence, no proper safety measures and procedures were in place to protect patients. However, dentists are now more knowledgeable about how much radiation patients should get exposed to; this amount has been controlled drastically.
The protective strategies and tools ensure patients’ safety, including lead aprons which limit radiation exposure to the body, and a thyroid lead collar. These tools are vital to patients who need the least or no exposure to radiation, like expecting mothers and children.
Although dental X-rays have more benefits than risks, there are two types of people who shouldn’t have them unless a dentist says it.
Pregnant Women
During pregnancy, it’s advisable to skip X-rays until birth to protect the fetus. As a fetus grows, cells divide and multiply fast, making them more vulnerable to radiation-related issues than adults. Therefore, pregnant women should inform the dentist of their condition during dental checkups.
Little Children
Radiation accumulates over a lifetime; if a child can escape an X-ray, the better for them. Since children are growing, early or frequent exposure to radiation can be harmful in the future. However, if a dentist recommends it, discuss the issue as necessary.
Dental X-rays are part of proper oral health and preservation. People without dental issues can visit a dentist once a year, where they will undergo an X-ray. However, if you’re prone to cavities and gum infections, you need frequent X-rays, as they’ll be more beneficial in detecting abnormalities for timely treatment. Are you still undecided about dental x-rays? Discuss the concerns with your dentist for better understanding.
Achieving Optimal Dental Health: The Importance of Routine Care and Complex Procedures
Achieving Optimal Dental Health: The Importance of Routine Care and Complex Procedures