Facts about Dental X-Rays

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Facts about Dental X-Rays
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• X-rays, also known as radiographs, are an
  essential part of any dental care treatment plan.
  They are diagnostic, but they can also be
  preventative, by helping a dentist diagnose
  potential oral care issues in a patients mouth
  before they become a major problem.
• Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of
  radiograph taken in dentistry. Intraoral X-rays
  are taken inside the mouth. They give a high
  level of detail of the tooth, bone and supporting
  tissues of the mouth.

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• These X-rays allow dentists to
• Find cavities
• Look at the tooth roots
• Check the health of the bony area around the
  tooth
• Determine if periodontal disease is an oral care
  issue
• See the status of developing teeth

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Are dental x-rays safe?

• Dental X-ray exams are safe however, they do
  require very low levels of radiation exposure,
  which makes the risk of potentially harmful
  effects very small. A leaded apron minimizes
  exposure to the abdomen and may be used when it
  will not interfere with the acquirement of the
  x-ray. Also, a leaded thyroid collar can protect
  the thyroid from radiation, and should also be
  used whenever possible. The use of a leaded
  thyroid collar is recommended for women of
  childbearing age, pregnant women and children.

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• You may have heard getting an x-ray during
  pregnancy can harm your baby. This can be true,
  but in some cases not getting an x-ray can harm
  you more than it can harm your baby. Remember, a
  healthy mom means a healthy baby. Not all x-rays
  are the same, but most pose little exposure to
  the uterus and developing fetus. With dental
  x-rays there is hardly any exposure to any part
  of the body except the teeth. X-ray examinations
  on the arms, legs, or chest do not expose your
  reproductive organs to the direct beam. Always
  let your health care provider know you are
  pregnant

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• Dental x-rays are safe. Any kind of x-ray
  requires radiation, but with dental x-rays, the
  amount of radiation is very small. And todays
  modern digital x-rays require much less radiation
  for exposure than traditional film x-rays do.
  Four bitewing x-rays, which is what many people
  get in a routine exam, give about .005
  millisieverts of radiation, thats about the same
  amount of radiation you get in a normal day from
  the sun and other sources.

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• Most of our daily activities expose us to some
  level of radiation. Your microwave and other home
  appliances, sunlight, and minerals in dirt also
  give off radiation. That is why the dental
  assistants take precautions and put those heavy
  aprons on. Theres lead inside, which blocks the
  radiation from your body, and the little collar
  part of it helps to protect your thyroid, all of
  which minimizes your exposure.
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