“Are Dental X-Rays Safe?” as well as other questions about X-Rays are some of the most common questions we get here at Mcgee Family Dentistry.

Are they safe?
Why do I or my kids need them?
How often should I get them?
These are great questions.  The answers can get complex quickly, and we’ll do our best to cover the basics here.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Let’s start with the most important question—safety. Both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) test dental x-rays to make sure they’re safe for patients of all ages. These governing bodies revise their guidelines when any advances in science and technology provide new methods to reduce exposure. Thanks to faster film speeds, digital X-rays, and protective aprons and thyroid collars, the X-ray of today is far superior to those of even just a decade ago.

This applies to children, too. Today’s X-rays are so safe, in fact, that the amount of radiation a child is exposed to in an X-ray of the back molars is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation they are exposed to in the environment on a daily basis.

 Why Do You Need X-Rays?

X-rays, also called radiographs, help your dentist spot conditions, like cavities, tooth misalignment, and abscesses, that they can’t see through a visual examination. X-rays are especially important for children because they are generally more susceptible to tooth decay than adults.

The benefits of X-rays, which include diagnosing decay, pathology, or any abnormalities, far outweigh the risks of exposure to this minimal dose of radiation.

How Often Should I Get Them?

At McGee Family Dentistry, we update bitewing X-rays once per year to check for decay and we update the panorex X-ray once every 5 years.

Wondering when you are due for your next X-Rays? Give us a call – 407-843-0295, we will be happy to answer your questions as well as schedule an appointment.