Dental X-rays are a standard part of routine oral healthcare. They help us detect areas of concern and diagnose abnormalities in your mouth that might otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. They are often part of a routine dental checkup once a year.
Some patients worry about the safety of dental X-rays. We want to reassure you that dental X-rays are both safe and effective. Here’s more about what you need to know.
The Risk of Dental X-Rays
As with any other type of X-ray technology, digital dental X-rays do involve the use of radiation, which is a carcinogen. However, the level of exposure is minimal. In fact, it is less than a person’s cumulative average daily exposure to other sources of radiation, such as the sun, the soil, food, and our building materials.
Safety Precautions
When you visit Seaport Family Dentistry, your health and safety are our top priorities. When taking dental X-ray images, we will make sure there are the proper protections in place. We’ll place a lead bib on your body to shield it from radiation (since we only need images of your oral cavity), and we won’t expose you to the X-rays any longer than necessary to get the right images.
Dental X-Rays & Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, please inform us before getting X-rays or any type of dental treatment. Based on your unique situation, we’ll be able to determine whether it’s better to wait until you have given birth or whether it’s necessary to get the images now.
More Questions? We Have Answers!
If you have any additional questions or concerns about dental X-rays, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Seaport Family Dentistry! Our team wants to help you feel confident about your oral healthcare.
Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0