X-rays: The Facts
Q. Are there any health risks from having dental X-rays?
A. In a nutshell, the answer to that question is no. There have been no proven studies or diagnoses of health conditions that have directly been caused by having X-rays of your teeth. There is no hiding from the fact that we receive radiation from X-rays.
However, the radiation we receive from dental X-rays is exceptionally minimal. In fact, we get more radiation from more natural sources. There are many reasons why you may need to have one. For example, your dentist may take an X-ray of your teeth to see if there are any early signs of tooth decay because, although they may look healthy, there could be decay underneath the enamel, potential infections in the root as well as bone loss around your teeth.
If you are a new patient at a dental surgery, they will usually recommend that you have X-rays so that they can assess the condition of your mouth initially. Once they start to understand your history of tooth decay, any
previous dental problems and general condition of your mouth, they may recommend having X-rays every time you go for a check-up or once every two years.
X-rays are crucial towards helping your dentist see in between your teeth, underneath fillings. In the long run, they can help find and treat dental issues at an early stage which can save you a lot of time and money. If you are pregnant then you should always tell your dentist as they will take extra care and only use X-rays if necessary.
For more information about dental issues, contact Synergy Dental Clinics Bolton, email bolton@synergydental.org.uk.