Why Are X-Rays Important?

May 5, 2017 in Blog

Sometimes your child’s pediatric dentist will use X-rays to get a closer look at your child’s teeth. In simple terms, dental x-rays allow dentists to take a detailed picture of the teeth, bones, and soft tissues in your child’s mouth and jaw. In children, X-rays are often used as a preventative measure to allow dentists to foresee any potential issues before they become a larger problem. Dentists need x-rays to see areas of the teeth that are not usually visible to the eye, including the root of the tooth and bones in the jaw.

What issues can dental X-rays help with?

  • Locate damage to the mouth including injuries to individual teeth and the jaw bones
  • Spot teeth that are not developing in the wrong place or position before they break through the gums
  • Find tumors or abscesses
  • Check the locations of adult teeth in children that currently have baby teeth
  • Plan treatment for large procedures including difficult tooth removals and severe cavities
  • Catch infections that develop under the gums

What happens when my child gets an X-ray?

Dental X-rays are taken in designated areas in our offices. The process is totally painless and usually takes less than five minutes.

  1. Your child’s dentist will encourage them to sit upright before covering their midsection with a lead apron. This lead apron shields your child from X-rays and radiation.
  2. Other dentists in the room will wear a protective mask and stand behind a protective shield.
  3. Your Kids Dental Group dentist will give your child and small piece of plastic to bite on. This plastic holds X-ray film to help get a close-up picture of the teeth.
  4. Your child may want to rinse their mouth after the X-ray is complete.

Are dental X-rays safe?

With today’s digital X-ray equipment and detailed research on radiation safety, safe low-dose X-rays are possible.

In fact, the amount of radiation used during a dental X-ray is so small it won’t affect your child.

Kids Dental Group pediatric dentists follow the follow the ALARA principle, which means “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,” when obtaining radiographs. This principle limits your child’s exposure to radiation.

We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about your child’s X-rays. 

Contact us at our Markham, Richmond Hill or Stouffville location now. We look forward to having you!

Markham (905 294 0995) | Richmond Hill (905 709 3888) | Stouffville (905 642 3642)