As your child’s teeth and jaw mature, dental x-rays allow their dentist to get a complete view of your child’s oral health development. Children’s dental X-rays allow dentists to identify any underlying problems and determine the best plan of treatment for your child.
When Does Your Child Need an X-Ray?
Often, dental x-rays are used for preventative purposes. They allow the dentist to gauge the development of your child’s permanent teeth. The importance of dental x-rays lies in their ability to identify issues that may not be detectable with just a visual exam, like missing or extra teeth.
X-rays can also be used for a variety of other purposes, including:
- Monitoring healing and recovery after a mouth injury
- Identifying infections
- Determining whether your child will need orthodontic treatment
Generally, children receive their first pediatric dental x-ray around age 5 or 6 when their permanent teeth begin to erupt. However, your child’s dentist may order an x-ray earlier if they detect a high risk of decay or other potential complications.
The X-Ray Process
Children’s dental x-rays are entirely painless. During the x-ray, your child will be seated and will experience no discomfort. The length of time that it takes to complete the x-ray depends on the type of x-ray being performed.
At Children’s Dentistry, we understand that your child’s safety is of the utmost importance. Dental x-rays are considered safe, with recent dentistry advancements making it possible to reduce the amount of radiation that your child is exposed to during the process. Our pediatric dentists take further precautions to protect your child by having them wear a lead apron.
Schedule Your Appointment
Children’s dental x-rays are an important part of a pediatric dentist’s toolkit.
If you still have concerns, our dentists will be happy to answer any other questions that you may have about pediatric dental x-rays. To make your child’s next dental appointment, contact us today.