What are dental x-rays for?
Dental x-rays are actually a very important part of keeping your mouth healthy. X-rays can help your dentist catch any problems that would go unnoticed with just a regular visual examination. They can help your dentist to find any areas of decay that might be in between teeth or underneath a filling, bone loss that might be a sign of gum disease, an abscess (an infection at the root of the tooth), or even a tumor. X-rays can also help your dentist to plan for any implants, dentures, or braces that are needed.
Are dental x-rays safe?
These kinds of x-rays are considered to be extremely safe and have very low doses of radiation, much less than what you are exposed to with other x-ray procedures. The radiation is considered to be minor compared to other natural and man-made sources of radiation. And, your dentist will take your safety into account when deciding how often you should have an x-ray. He or she will consider issues such as your age, risk for disease, and the current state of your oral health.
There is such a small amount of radiation that dental x-rays are considered very safe for children. As a matter of fact, x-rays for children are very important, as it is important to monitor the development of their teeth and jaw. Your child’s dentist will want to make sure there is enough room in the mouth for incoming teeth, keep an eye on how wisdom teeth are developing, and also catch any gum disease or tooth decay as early as possible.
Dental x-rays are an important part of the dental exam, and they are considered to be extremely safe. If you have any questions about x-rays or any other dental procedure, the staff at Soft Touch Dentistry is only too happy to answer them for you. Contact the Brighton Office at (617) 782-9250 or the Newton Office at (617) 332-8146 today.
