There has been some talk in the media about dental x-rays and whether they are necessary. The answer is an emphatic, YES!!! I have often looked into children’s mouths and it looks perfectly healthy, but upon taking x-rays find up to 8 cavities between the teeth. These cavities are undetectable without x-rays. The problem is, if we don’t find them when they are small with the use of x-rays, then by the time we are able to see them with our plain eye, the decay is extensive and the tooth will require more advanced treatment and at that point may be causing the child pain.
X-rays are a very necessary adjunct to the dental examination. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has specific guidelines as to when to take x-rays. If a child is determined to be high risk for cavities, they may require x-rays more often, but if a child is considered low risk for cavities, then the need for x-rays can be spread out a little bit more.
To help decrease the amount of radiation your child is exposed to, we use the fastest type of film which allows us to decrease the time it takes for the x-ray. Also to protect the child, we use a lead apron with a thyroid collar. You, as the parent, can help minimize the need for x-rays by enforcing good dental habits with proper brushing and a healthy diet.
We certainly want to minimize the amount of radiation a child is exposed to, but not at the expense of a proper examination. We cannot with certainty tell you your child is decay free and has a healthy mouth without using this important tool.
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