15 Sep Why X-Rays are Important for your Oral Health
Dental radiography, also known as an X-ray, is a crucial part of any comprehensive oral health checkup. Although generally seen as a diagnostic tool, X-Rays are also useful for preventative dentistry in order to diagnose potential problems before they turn into something more serious.
X-rays are a commonly used form of electromagnetic radiation that help to detect a wide range of different problems occurring in the skeletal and tissue systems of the body. X-rays let your dentist view your teeth in ways that were previously impossible, permitting them to assess the condition inside each tooth, as well as the bone under your gums and the tip of the roots. By getting this glimpse into places not normally visible to the naked eye, your dentist is able to diagnose problems such as cavities and periodontal disease, as well as spot abnormalities like abscesses, cysts and impacted wisdom teeth.
In addition to being a useful tool for the diagnosis of many abnormalities, diseases, and cancer; X-rays also provide an important benchmark for new patients, allowing dentists to gain a better understanding of the overall oral health, and effectively monitor for changes over time. This provides an efficient method for catching any changes before they become a serious problem.
Sometimes people might feel hesitant to receive an x-ray, or have concerns and questions about the radiation involved. There really is no reason anymore to feel uncertain. Thanks to modern technology, radiography equipment is designed to minimize the radiation exposure, and modern day x-ray radiation exposure levels are negligible and considered safe. In fact, the average dosage of radiation received by a dental patient is typically similar to that received during a short airplane flight – the only difference being you are receiving it in one burst, and in a localized area.
This is not to say that dental health professionals don’t take x-ray radiation seriously – quite the opposite. Dental x-rays are only taken when it is necessary to investigate potential problems, monitor for changes or provide an important check up. The frequency in which an individual needs dental x-rays will vary depending on that persons oral health and dental history. So you can feel safe in the knowledge that your dentist will only request an x-ray if they believe it is necessary.
Many dental clinics including Signal Hill Dental Centre, have updated their technology to include digital X-rays where digital sensors are used in place of the formally used photographic film. Digital X-rays, amongst many other benefits, also reduce exposure to radiation even further. However, if you’re still feeling nervous about radiation, or if you are currently pregnant or breast feeding, make sure to let your dentist know. Added protective equipment, including fitted lead aprons are used during scans.
The real benefit to using dental radiography lies in its ability to catch potential problems before they become something more serious. Something as simple as a minor toothache, if left without investigation, can turn into a painful and costly problem at best, and at it’s worst could be a symptom of something much more sinister such as oral cancer. If caught in time, many serious diseases and cancers are easily treatable, but if left to time and chance the procedures can be lengthy and in the case of developing cancers, even fatal.
Dental X-rays allow our dentist to pick up on things that they couldn’t normally see with the naked eye, and this leads to both early diagnosis and important preventative measures. These invaluable tools allow dentists to see the big picture, playing a vital role in oral health. With the advances in modern technology and the increasingly minimal amount of radiation exposure, it’s no wonder that dental x-rays are still considered an extremely important tool in professional dental care. If you have any questions or concerns about dental X-rays, please feel free to ask any members of our team at Signal Hill Dental Centre.