Maintaining good oral health for children is essential to their overall health and shouldn’t be overlooked. Dental health issues can cause tooth decay, gum diseases, bad breath, and more severe health issues like heart disease. Thus, regular dental exams are vital to ensure healthy oral health.
Every time you have a regular checkup with your dentist, your child’s dentist will thoroughly examine their gums and teeth and look for signs of dental problems. However, not all problems can be identified with an eye exam, and that’s why dental X-rays are incredibly beneficial, as they allow dentists to look beneath the surface of gums and teeth to find hidden problems that could be present.
All About Dental X-rays for Children
Let’s discuss why dental X-rays are required, the kinds used the most often by pediatric dental practices, and what parents should anticipate when they visit for dental X-rays of their child.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?
Dental X-rays allow dentists for children to identify and treat dental problems which aren’t visible to the untrained eye. The jaws and teeth of children change constantly, and by identifying potential problems early, dentists for children can create a treatment plan and stop more serious issues from developing later.
The dental X-rays used in dentistry are safe and cause the most negligible radiation. For more information on radiation safety, consult a pediatric dentist who will provide more information about dental X-rays. You can check here for more info about pediatric dentistry.
Types of X-Rays Commonly Used in Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentists typically use multiple types of X-ray imaging. Here are a few of them:
- Bitewing X-rays: These images show what happens when the front teeth of the lower and upper teeth meet and allow your dentist to spot cavities or decay earlier.
- Periapical X-Rays: Periapical X-rays offer a clear view of all the parts of the tooth’s root system and the bone structure. They can help identify abscesses, teeth that are impacted, or any other condition that requires treatment.
- Panoramic X-rays: The tooth X-ray will show the entire mouth, which includes all teeth, the jawbone, as well as the sinuses. They can help identify issues related to the development of teeth, TMJ disorders, and other issues that affect oral and jaw health.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental X-Ray Appointment
Before your child’s X-ray appointment, ensure they’ve taken additional steps to floss and brush their teeth properly. Also, educate them on the process and how an X-ray machine works. Here’s what you can anticipate during an appointment:
- Your child will be required to stand or sit in the front of a machine while being shielded against radiation through a lead apron on their abdomen and chest by the dentist or assistant to their dentist. You can visit Greensboro family dentistry for dental services and orthodontic procedures.
- Dental assistants or dentists then put a tiny film or sensor in their mouths to chew on it and take an X-ray picture.
- Your child must remain still for a few seconds while an X-ray image is taken of their mouth. However, the dentist or dental assistant might require multiple X-rays taken from different angles to picture their entire teeth and jawbone accurately.
- After the X-rays are taken and reviewed by your dentist, they will go over them and talk with you about them to discuss any concerns or recommend additional X-rays or treatments in light of your child’s oral health.
Conclusion
Dental X-rays are a vital and safe instrument pediatric dentists use to identify and treat dental problems in children. Through early detection, dental professionals can prevent severe issues from arising, saving you and your child from costly treatment later on. If you’re worried about having your child’s X-ray, make an appointment with your child’s dentist. They can provide more information about the safety and importance of this procedure.
