It’s normal to want to protect your child from anything that might seem unnecessary, unfamiliar, or potentially harmful. However, many parents wonder whether dental X-rays fall under this category. The truth is, X-rays have immense value when it comes to pediatric dentistry, and they play a very important role in ensuring that your child’s growing smile remains problem-free! Here’s what you need to know.
What Problems Can Dental X-Rays Detect?
X-rays give dentists a comprehensive view of your child’s whole mouth, from their teeth and gums to their sinuses and even their jaw joints. Dental X-rays are an incredibly important part of preventive dentistry for children and adults alike, and some of the specific problems they can help identify include:
- They can show areas of decay that aren’t visible to the naked eye, including beneath the teeth and below the gumline.
- They can check for the development of adult teeth as they erupt. This includes checking for impacted wisdom teeth.
- They can spot other developmental abnormalities, like cysts, bumps, oral cancer, or anything else potentially concerning.
Dental X-Rays Are Perfectly Safe for Kids
One main question many parents have in mind concerning dental X-rays is: “What about radiation?” In truth, your child is exposed to numerous sources of radiation throughout the day, including the sun, minerals in the soil, and even appliances in your home.
However, the dose of radiation that children are exposed to during a dental X-ray is incredibly small, even relative to some of these other sources, and doesn’t pose a threat, especially if digital X-rays are involved. Plus, pediatric dentists are trained to ensure that the whole process is quick, efficient, safe, and only performed when necessary, usually every 12 to 24 months.
Dental X-rays are one of the many tools that allow your child’s dentist to keep accurate tabs on their smile as it develops. While radiation exposure is certainly something to be mindful of, when it comes to diagnostic dental care, there’s nothing you need to worry about.
About the Practice
With Dr. Myles Clancy, Dr. Mina Schafft, and Dr. Karin Herzog leading the way, our team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln has served families in Worcester and the surrounding communities for several years. We offer a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages, ranging from routine checkups and cleanings to same-day emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment for your child, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 506-8859.