27 Apr The Importance of Dental X-Rays for Children
X-Rays are an important part of your child’s oral health care. They allow pediatric dentists to see a high level of detail of the tooth, bone and supporting tissues of the mouth. X-rays allow pediatric dentists to:
– See how your child’s teeth are erupting (coming into the mouth)
– See the number, size and position of teeth that are still inside the gums
– Find out whether there are missing teeth or extra teeth
– Diagnose cavities in between teeth that are touching each other
– Determine whether the teeth or mouth are infected
– Prepare for braces and other orthodontic treatment
– Identify bone diseases
– Monitor mouth and teeth injuries
– Detect problems that can’t be seen with a visual exam
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends X-rays every six months, especially if your child has had previous cavities. Dental X-rays are safe and expose your child to a minimal amount of radiation. A lead body apron is placed over the child’s body. When all standard safety precautions are taken, today’s X-ray equipment is able to prevent unnecessary radiation and allows the dental staff to focus the X-ray beam on a specific part of the mouth. High-speed film enables the dentist to reduce the amount of radiation the patient receives.
If you have any questions or concerns about X-raying your child’s teeth, contact our office at (910) 794-2266 and we’ll be happy to answer your inquiries!