X-rays are a regular part of your dental appointments but you might be wondering why they’re needed at all. It’s easy to think that if your dentist has checked your mouth thoroughly and you’ve maybe had a cleaning, that there shouldn’t be anything else to do. A standard examination only allows your dentist to see what’s on the surface and much of the tooth’s root structure lies beneath the surface.
An X-ray can also show any problems where teeth touch, under any old fillings and show the health of the bone holding each tooth in place. If you have decay or infection in a tooth, the x-ray will show how far into the tooth it goes. This is important as it helps your dentist put a suitable plan into place that you’re both comfortable with.
X-rays are a powerful tool to show the overall health of your mouth and help support timely treatment and healing, but how often do you need them? If you have no underlying conditions and have been attending your check-ups regularly, you will likely only need X-rays every 2-3 years to make sure everything is fine. Certain groups and those with health conditions will need them more often.
Which Groups Need Dental X-Rays More Often
Children and teens may need X-rays every 6-12 months. This is because an X-ray will show tooth development and ensure there are no problems with their permanent teeth coming in. If a child is prone to cavities, they will need 6-monthly X-rays to ensure no new spots of decay have formed that can’t be seen on the surface. Adults with a history of cavities may also need regular X-rays for the same reason; your dentist will advise if they think it should be 6 months or a year, depending on the overall mouth health.
If you have lots of dental work, such as crowns and bridges, you may need more regular X-rays. This will likely be every 12 months, but your dentist will advise depending on your individual case. In these cases, the X-rays allow the dentist to see under the dental work to ensure decay or breakage hasn’t occurred there, which may not be visible during a standard check-up.
Patients with periodontal disease will also need regular X-rays – likely every year, or more often if you’re undergoing treatment to make sure your treatment is on the right track. Your dentist can check for any associated bone loss on these X-rays and check the progression of the disease to allow for an effective treatment plan.
Finally, if your dentist deems you at high risk of cavities and other dental issues, you’ll be advised to have frequent X-rays. If you smoke or use chewing tobacco containing added sugars, you may be considered higher risk. If you have dry mouth through medications or illness side effects, you’ll also need regular X-rays.
Saliva plays an important role in maintaining the pH level in your mouth, and if there isn’t enough of it, the pH drops, which can break down the minerals in your teeth and cause the start of decay. If you suspect you have dry mouth, speak to your dentist—they’ll know the signs and can offer simple, helpful ways to manage it.
How to Tell Your Dentist You’re Worried About X-Rays
If you’re worried about X-rays, we’d like to reassure you. Most clinics in the dental industry now use digital X-rays. Digital X-rays don’t use film; instead, a small sensor is placed in or just outside your mouth to pick up the X-rays. These are preferred as they give a better-quality image, and they reduce radiation exposure by up to 80% compared to film x-rays, as the increased speed of digital means less exposure.
This makes them better for dentists and patients. In terms of radiation exposure, dental X-rays are now below even the lowest estimates for the amount of background radiation the average person absorbs each day. Of course, radiation can build up over time, but when used conservatively every few months or years, digital dental X-rays are very safe overall.
As dental X-rays have become more precise and faster, they no longer emit ‘scatter’ radiation. This is radiation that spreads out from the X-ray beam and reaches body parts it was not intended to. By removing this excess radiation, dental X-rays are now safer for everyone, and they’re considered safe even during pregnancy in most cases.
You should let your dentist know if you may be pregnant, as there may still be precautionary steps they may be required to follow. As a bonus, digital X-rays are also kinder to our planet as they get rid of the need for the chemicals used in film development, and as the image is stored online, there’s no paper waste, making it a more sustainable option. Having a dental X-ray is a very simple and low-stress process; you’ll likely have to bite onto something and hold still for a few minutes, which might feel a little unfamiliar, but it’s over very quickly.
If you’re still worried about the radiation or the experience, speak to your dental team. They’ll be able to explain why they think the X-ray is necessary and guide you through each step.
You’ll be in the room on your own, which is just a safety standard for everyone. If you explain that you are nervous, your dentist may be able to show you the room where it will take place, so you can see the equipment and know what to expect. They will be able to talk to you throughout as well, so if you share any concerns in advance, they’ll know how to guide you through it with care.
At Smile On Clinics, we have locations across Australia that are designed to help you feel at ease every step of the way. Find your nearest location here.