How Often Should You Get Dental X-Rays? A Dentist’s Perspective

The lucky ones visit their dentist twice yearly. Bi-annual dental visits indicate you have healthy teeth and oral health. People see their dentist more often when issues like cavities, gum disease, or tooth loss occur. Dentists perform many services during every visit, ensuring patients receive superlative oral care. Among the procedures a dentist may request is a dental X-ray. Dental x-rays aren’t typically taken at every visit, especially if your teeth are healthy. What should you know about dental X-rays?According to Kenosha dentist Dr. Brian Boston, here’s what you should know.

What are Dental X-Rays and Why Do Dentists Take Them?

Dental X-rays are like X-rays taken to view other areas of the body, except they provide dentists with an image of a specific area of your mouth. X-rays allow dentists to examine the teeth, mouth, and bones that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Using an X-ray, dentists can view the front or back of the teeth, the jawbone, or other areas. This advanced technology allows dentists to detect and diagnose dental problems more effectively and quickly than without them.

Dental X-rays can detect issues like:

Infections
Jaw fractures
Surgery progression
Cavities
Gum disease
Bone loss
Tumors/Cysts
Bone loss in the jaw

Dental X-rays also allow dentists to monitor the progress of dental implants and other procedures. When a dentist orders an X-ray, he needs a better look at a specific area of your mouth or teeth to benefit your oral health.

Dentistry Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Those one-size-fits-all t-shirts never seem to fit me. Dentistry is in the same category. One approach cannot possibly treat the dental concerns of every patient. So, the number of X-rays you’ll need depends on factors like your age, oral health history, and current oral health.

People with healthy teeth and gums are rewarded with less frequent X-rays. Dentists typically order X-rays once every year or two for patients with healthy mouths. This follows American Dental Association guidelines and ensures your mouth remains healthy and beautiful. The only time a dentist will order an X-ray more often is if your dental health changes.

Dentists order X-rays more frequently for patients with past or current oral health issues. Those patients are prone to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health concerns that radiology can help prevent. Expect X-rays taken once every six months if you have dental problems.

Along with helping dentists identify cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues, dental X-rays serve another purpose: they allow dentists to monitor the progression of a particular treatment. For individuals undergoing dental implant surgery, X-rays allow dentists to monitor the progress of the procedure, which can take up to 18 months from start to finish in some cases.

When Do Children Need Dental X-rays?

Children have special oral care needs due to their rapidly changing teeth and jawbone. And like adults, children also need dental X-rays to protect their teeth. Kids with healthy teeth and gums typically follow the same American Dental Association recommendations as adults and require dental X-rays once every year or two. But, this varies from one patient to the next, and several factors influence the frequency of the X-rays.

Rest assured your dentist will discuss the need for X-rays for your children when and if the situation arises.

Children with developmental or oral concerns may need X-rays more often than kids with healthy teeth.

Can I Get Dental X-rays if I am Pregnant?

Pregnant women take every precaution possible to keep their unborn baby safe, so it’s expected they feel some concern over the potential risk of radiation exposure. While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy, inform your dentist of your condition before any service begins.

Providing your dentist with this information allows him to decide if X-rays are needed or if they can wait until a later date. He can also use the information to take additional precautions to keep you and your baby safe.

Dentists generally avoid X-rays during the first trimester unless absolutely necessary during an emergency. The fetus is rapidly growing during the first trimester and the dentist doesn’t want to disrupt this exciting process.

After the first trimester, however, take those X-rays confidently knowing they are safe for your unborn baby.

What You Should Know About Dental X-rays

Did you know that dentists use several types of dental X-rays? Each type of X-ray highlights a different area of the mouth or teeth, giving dentists an image of the exact areas they want to see.

The Bitewing X-ray is one of the most commonly used. This X-ray shows the dentist an image of your mouth between the teeth. He can detect cavities and bone structure health using this specific X-ray.

Another common dental X-ray is the Panoramic, which provides an image of the entire mouth. New patients often receive Panoramic X-rays during their first visit with a dentist and during other intervals of their dental care.

X-rays are not harmful or painful, and you don’t need to do anything beforehand to prepare. This procedure is one of the fastest and easiest you’ll ever experience. It takes about 5 or 10 minutes to take the X-ray, and then you are on your way!

Remember, your dentist is ready to answer any questions you have regarding dental X-rays, so don’t worry yourself, just ask. The more you know, the easier getting X-rays becomes.

The Bottom Line

Rest assured your dentist is looking out for your oral health. Dentists take pride in their patient’s oral health and want to see faces with the most beautiful smiles sitting in their chairs. If your dentist orders an X-ray, rest assured it is to improve your oral health. If you have any concerns or want more information about dental X-rays, talk to your dentist.