Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Kids?

As a parent, you’re always considering your child’s health and safety. So when your dentist recommends that your son or daughter has dental X-rays taken, you may be wondering just how necessary and safe this step is. Thankfully, you have nothing to fear! Thanks to advancements in dental technology, x-rays are now taken digitally and are safer than ever before! Here’s what you need to know about this important tool for keeping your little one’s smile healthy as it grows.

Why Are Dental X-Rays Important for Children?

Baby teeth may not be a permanent part of your child’s smile, but these little teeth play a big role in your little one’s quality of life. If they’re not taken care of, your son’s or daughter’s ability to chew, speak, stay healthy, and feel confident about their smile could suffer. Dental X-rays help your dentist care for your child’s baby teeth in a variety of ways, including:

• Monitoring teeth developing inside the gums.
• Determining if there’s enough space for all the incoming teeth.
• Diagnosing cracks, cavities, or other issues that can only be seen with an X-ray.
• Checking for problems with the jawbone or roots of the teeth.
• Ensuring that permanent teeth are coming in correctly.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Kids?

X-ray technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the years. Modern dental X-rays are taken digitally, which reduces radiation exposure by up to 90%. In fact, some experts report that the amount of radiation digital X-rays give off is comparable to the levels they’re exposed to from the environment on a daily basis. What’s more, lead aprons will cover the rest of your little one’s body to protect it from any radiation at all.

How Often Do Children Need to Have X-Rays Taken?

Dental experts typically recommend that children begin to have dental X-rays taken as soon as they have two touching teeth. How often they should be taken depends on the child’s oral health. If your child has a history of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend having X-rays taken every six months until their smile is healthier. However, if your child is in good oral health and isn’t at a particularly high risk of cavities, they may only need to have X-rays taken every 12-24 months.

Dental X-rays for children are safer and more reliable than ever now that they’re taken digitally! This important process is key for keeping your little one’s smile happy and healthy as it grows.

About the Author

Dr. Maggie Davis goes above and beyond to make oral health care fun, safe, and relaxing for the young smiles of Palm Harbor and the surrounding communities. Alongside a kid-friendly office and a compassionate dental team, she ensures her patients get the special care they need with state-of-the-art dental technology. Digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and soft-tissue laser dentistry allow her to make more accurate diagnoses and provide precise care all while keeping your little one’s smile safe. To learn more about her advanced dental technology, don’t hesitate to contact her via her website or at (727) 786-7551.