Do I REALLY need a dental X-ray?
Do I Really Need X-rays? By Dr. Heather Hradek, DDS
‘Do I really need x-rays?’ is probably one of the most common questions we get. We get it- x-rays are uncomfortable and you’re worried about radiation. So let’s talk about it!
X-rays can help save your teeth—and possibly money too since they help us diagnose problems early on which could turn into potentially serious, costly, and dangerous to your health. At your new patient visit, we will take a series of x-rays to assess your overall oral health and be able to track changes over time. X-rays provide more information to the dentist than you realize! With x-rays, we can diagnose cavities, infections, signs of gum disease, oral cancer tumors, and changes in the bone and ligaments holding your teeth in place. Without x-rays, it’s like doing an exam blindfolded! There’s so much information that we would miss until the problem becomes much bigger and potentially painful. If your previous dentist has your x-rays on file, ask them to send copies to us.
How often do you need x-rays? It depends! We follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association (ADA) for x-ray frequency to keep it ALARA- that means ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’. If you have a history of tooth decay, you’re considered high risk for new cavities, so we will need to take x-rays every six to twelve months. Other reasons we may need to be checked more frequently would be if you have a lot of fillings, gum disease, or dry mouth, often caused by medications or illness. If you’re a smoker, you’re at increased risk for gum disease, which warrants more frequent radiographic exam. If you love to drink a lot of sugary beverages, sports drinks, coffee, or wine, this can put you at a higher risk for cavities as well, so we’ll want to keep a closer eye on you. If you don’t have any cavities or risk factors, we’ll need new x-rays every 12-18 months to monitor for changes.
Are x-rays safe? Yes- while there is a small amount of radiation, the benefit definitely outweighs the risk. We use digital x-rays in our office, which is newer, faster, and has 70% less exposure to radiation versus traditional films! This means you can have a whole series of dental x-rays with less radiation exposure than a flight from New York to LA! We also provide a lead apron with a thyroid collar, to shield your abdomen and neck from radiation exposure.
Chesterton Family Dental is the general dental office of Dr. Mystie Pieters, Dr. Heather Hradek, and Dr. Robert Pieters providing comprehensive dental care for the entire family. Call today at (219)929-9289 to schedule your visit!