Top 5 Questions About Dental X-Rays for Children
You want the best for your children, and that includes the best dental care. Part of maintaining your child’s dental health is getting regular exams and X-rays with your dentist in Asheville.
However, although dental X-rays play an important role in maintaining your child’s oral health, it’s understandable that you’d have questions and concerns when it comes to your child getting X-rays as part of an oral exam.
In this article, we’ll address the top five questions about dental X-rays for children, providing parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their child’s dental care.
- Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary for Children?
Dental X-rays are important because they allow your Asheville dentist to detect oral health issues not visible to the naked eye.
For example, while your dentist will do a thorough exam, they cannot see cavities between the teeth, impacted teeth, and abnormalities in the jawbone or tooth development. X-rays also allow your dentist to identify decay underneath fillings or restorations, infections, and tumors in the oral cavity.
By identifying and addressing these problems early on, dentists can ensure proper tooth development and prevent more serious dental issues for your child in the future. As such, X-rays are an integral part of preventative care and can help minimize any intervention your child may need for their oral care and even for orthodontic treatment.
- Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Children?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe for children when proper precautions are taken. At Saunders DDS, we use modern equipment, including digital dental X-rays, which emit lower radiation, and protective measures to minimize radiation exposure, especially for children.
In addition, the amount of radiation emitted during a dental X-ray procedure is very low and is considered safe for children.
Dentists should use lead aprons and thyroid collars to protect children from radiation. Although the levels emitted are considered safe, extra precautions will help ensure your little one is as protected as possible while getting their teeth X-rayed.
- How Often Should My Kids Get Dental X-Rays?
The frequency of dental X-rays depends on each child’s specific dental needs. Children with a high risk of dental problems or a history of dental issues may require X-rays more frequently. For children with good oral health, a routine set of X-rays is usually taken every one to two years.
X-rays are generally not needed more frequently than this unless your child has had dental trauma or another oral health issue that would necessitate X-rays to diagnose. Talk with your Asheville dentist about how often your child needs X-rays so you can develop a schedule that’s right for them.
Keep in mind that your child’s orthodontist may need to take a separate set of X-rays when they get an evaluation for orthodontic treatment, so this may add an extra set of X-rays to your child’s regular dental ones. Let your child’s dentist know if your child has recently received or plans to receive orthodontic X-rays.
- Will My Child Feel Any Discomfort While Getting an X-Ray?
Dental X-rays are painless! The X-ray machine used in dental offices emits a small beam of radiation, which passes through the child’s mouth and captures images of the teeth and jawbone. The process is quick and painless, and most children find it to be a relatively comfortable and uneventful experience.
Children of any age can receive dental X-rays. The age at which X-rays are recommended depends on the child’s unique oral health and risk. No matter what age your child starts getting X-rays, parents and caregivers are more than welcome to accompany the child while they get their X-rays. Having a parent or guardian there can help children experiencing stress or anxiety around the procedure feel more comfortable.
- Are There Any Alternatives to Dental X-Rays for Children?
X-rays are considered the gold standard for identifying and diagnosing dental issues that can’t be seen from an oral exam alone. Although there are alternatives, such as intraoral cameras, they don’t allow your dentist to see fully in between your child’s teeth. They also don’t allow your dentist to see jaw issues or decay underneath restorations.
Dental X-rays are a valuable tool for ensuring optimal dental health in children. They are safe, painless, and crucial for early detection and treatment of dental issues. And since children only need X-rays once every couple of years, alternatives generally aren’t necessary for detecting decay and other oral health problems.
What You Can Expect During Your Child’s X-Ray Procedure
The dental X-ray process is generally straightforward, and since X-rays are painless, it’s typically a comfortable experience for children. They only take a few minutes and can be done during your child’s regular exam and check-up appointment.
Your child will be taken to a room and asked to stand or sit while wearing a lead apron and a thyroid collar for protection. Your child’s dentist or a dental technician will then position a small X-ray machine near their mouth to capture images of their teeth and jawbone.
The X-ray machine emits a small beam of radiation, which is painless and lasts only a few seconds. Some children may need to hold still or bite down on a special device to ensure clear images are captured for review.
Overall, most children find the process to be quick, painless, and relatively comfortable. In addition, many dental offices provide fun distractions like movies or toys to help keep children at ease during the procedure. If your child has special needs or you would prefer to be present with your child during their X-rays, you can accompany them!
Schedule Your Child’s Next Exam With Us
Saunders DDS provides dental care in Asheville for both adults and children, including digital X-rays, for the utmost safety and efficiency. We understand how important it is for parents to feel confident in the safety of dental X-rays for their children’s dental care, so if you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (828) 277-6060 or use our online contact form to send us a message!
Discover the benefits of digital dental X-rays for children and ensure your child gets the smile they deserve! Click here for expert insights and schedule an appointment at Saunders DDS in Asheville today!