Dental examinations often include dental X-rays. This lets us see not only what’s going on with the teeth but also what’s happening with jaw development. But are dental X-rays safe for kids?
Woodhill Dental Specialties knows your child's health is vitally important to you. It’s important to us, too, which is why we take care to keep your child healthy and safe. Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation and modern machines are designed to keep exposure as minimal as possible.
Let’s take a look at why dental X-rays are important, how safe they are for kids, and what they can tell us and you about your child’s oral health.
When you hear “X-ray machines,” you probably think of those big, hulking things that you stand against in the doctor’s office, or those huge machines someone wheels into the emergency room.
Dental X-ray machines are very different. They’re smaller and open, so your child won’t feel claustrophobic during the X-ray. We’re able to place the imaging scanner precisely where we need it, so that we can limit the X-rays to a specific area.
The X-rays provide images of the teeth and the jawbone, so we can see whether the bones that support the teeth are developing properly and are healthy.
The biggest question we get is whether dental X-rays are safe for kids. It's natural for parents to wonder how radiation affects developing bodies.
Rest assured, the radiation in dental X-rays is extremely low and is considered safe for children when used appropriately, especially since your child likely will only have dental X-rays once or twice a year. But just to be clear, let’s look at the numbers.
How much radiation is in a dental X-ray compared to other types of X-rays? X-ray radiation is measured in millirems, or 1/1000th of a rem.
On average, we are exposed to about 620 millirems of radiation annually, from both natural and man-made sources, such as sunlight and X-ray machines. People encounter similar levels of background radiation in daily life without concern.
A chest X-ray, one of the most common types, uses about 10–15 millirems. By contrast, a dental X-ray uses 0.5–4 millirems. The amount depends on the number of images taken. That amount is comparable to everyday sources of background radiation, such as taking a short airplane flight.
To put it in perspective, even the highest dose used in dental X-rays is far below levels associated with medical concern. In addition, we have tools that can further reduce exposure, such as lead aprons and thyroid shields.
You can rest easy knowing dental X-rays are considered a safe and standard part of pediatric dental care, and that Woodhill Dental Specialties will always have your child’s safety in mind.
We mentioned that many children only need dental X-rays periodically, often once or twice a year. A child who isn’t at high risk for tooth decay will often only need dental X-rays every 12–18 months. A child prone to tooth decay or gum disease may need them more often, but typically no more than every six months.
How often your child needs X-rays is based on recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The frequency also depends on age, risk of cavities, and dental development.
Children typically begin getting dental X-rays around 5–6 years of age, when permanent teeth start developing under the gums. A child will only get X-rays earlier if there is a special circumstance, like an infection.
There are several types of dental X-rays.
Which one your child gets depends on whether we need a broad, overall picture to check their general oral health or a detailed look at an area with potential issues, such as cavities.
We need dental X-rays to detect things that might not be visible otherwise, such as developing teeth below the gum line, alignment issues, weak enamel, and cavities in hard-to-see areas, such as between teeth.
Digital scans are excellent for viewing tooth surfaces, but they cannot show internal structures like developing teeth or roots the way X-rays can.
Current research shows that dental X-rays contribute a very small amount of radiation, and the risk associated with this level of exposure is considered to be very low.
Dental X-rays are a safe, easy way to see how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing. We can detect infections, cavities, and other issues quickly and easily using dental X-rays, and we use them only when necessary.
At Woodhill Dental Specialties, your child’s health is our priority. We want to make sure both you and your child are comfortable with us and our treatments. We discuss treatments with you and are always open to any questions you have about your child's health.
If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Dallas, TX or Rockwall, TX, schedule an appointment with Woodhill Dental Specialties.
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