When you have your biannual checkup and cleaning at the dentist’s office, they remove plaque and tartar buildup while examining your mouth for oral health problems. That makes perfect sense, but how is it benefitting you to have dental X-rays taken? Keep reading to learn from your dentist in Dyer why X-rays matter, how often you need them, and how safe they are.
Dental X-rays Offer a Look at What Is Unseen
Dentists complete years of extensive training to be able to spot early warning signs of oral health problems. However, a lot of these issues can’t be seen by the naked eye. That’s where X-rays come in.
These images allow your dentist to examine otherwise hidden areas, such as between and inside your teeth, your teeth’s roots, and your jawbone. Common dental problems that are usually detected by X-rays include cysts, impacted wisdom teeth, and jawbone loss due to gum disease. Spotting these issues early on can make them much easier and less expensive to treat.
How Often Are X-rays Needed at My Dentist’s Office?
Your dentist can examine your oral and overall health to determine how often you’ll need X-rays. If you’re a new patient, they’ll most likely take a full series to use as a baseline moving forward. Unless you have chronic oral health issues or you’re experiencing a specific problem, most existing patients only need to get X-rays taken once every 1-2 years.
Are Dental X-rays Safe?
Modern dental X-rays are designed to minimize potential radiation exposure. In fact, many offices have switched to digital X-rays, which reduce your exposure even further. Still, your dentist will probably place a leaded apron on you to cover your abdominal area and a leaded collar to protect your thyroid.
The one exception to the rule is pregnancy. Patients who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant should avoid X-rays, as radiation is considered unsafe for a developing fetus.
X-rays should be a routine part of your oral care, just on a much more infrequent basis than brushing and flossing. They are crucial to help ensure your smile stays healthy throughout your life, and nobody recognizes that more than your dentist in Dyer.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, you can step into our front door expecting excellence. Our compassionate team has decades of experience serving patients of all ages. We welcome dental insurance, but if you don’t have any, we offer our Wellness Plan to easily cover your basic dental care for an entire year. During some of your dental checkups and cleanings, we will take digital X-rays as needed, plus we have intraoral cameras as another method to help you get an accurate view of your oral health. You can schedule an appointment on our website or by calling (219) 322-3418.