Maintaining good oral health in children is integral to their well-being and should not be neglected. Insufficient dental hygiene can result in tooth decay, gum diseases, bad breath, and more severe health issues like heart disease. Thus, regular dental exams are essential in ensuring the health of your mouth.
Each time a dental checkup is scheduled, your child’s dentist will thoroughly examine their teeth and gums to look for any dental issues. However, not all problems can be identified with the naked eye. Dental X-rays are highly beneficial because they let dentists observe the depths of gums and teeth to discover hidden issues.
All About Dental X-rays for Children
Let’s talk about why dental X-rays are needed, the types used in the most frequent pediatric dentistry practices, and what parents can anticipate at a visit to dental X-rays for their child.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?
Dental X-rays enable pediatric dentists to spot and diagnose dental issues that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye. The jaws and teeth of children are constantly evolving. By identifying potential problems early, pediatric dentists can determine a treatment plan and prevent more serious ones from showing up later.
Dental X-rays are safe and create very little radiation exposure. For more details on radiation safety, contact the childrens dentist, who can give you more information on dental X-rays.
Types of X-Rays Commonly Used in Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentists often use multiple types of X-ray imaging technology. Here are some of them:
- Bitewing X-raysThese X-rays display how the crowns of upper and lower teeth are in contact and allow your dentist to identify cavities or decay earlier.
- Periapical X-Rays: Periapical Rays show a picture of all of the components of a tooth’s root system and its surrounding bone structure. They can help identify abscesses, teeth that are impacted, or any other conditions requiring treatment.
- Panoramic X-rays These X-rays show the entire mouth area, including all teeth, the jawbone, and the sinuses. They aid in identifying issues related to the development of teeth, TMJ disorders, and other diseases that affect oral and jaw health. Websites like https://smilegreensboro.com/ can show you the available dental procedures that you can avail of in a reputable dental clinic.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental X-Ray Appointment
Before your child’s appointment for an X-ray, make sure they’ve taken additional steps to floss and brush their teeth with care. In addition, you should inform them of what the procedure entails along with the workings of an Xray machine – here is what to be prepared for during the appointment:
- Your child will be asked to stand or sit in front of the machine while being protected from radiation by wearing a lead apron across the abdomen and chest of their dentist or dental assistant. You can visit websites like https://smilegreensboro.com/cleanings-digital-x-rays/ to learn more about dental cleanings and oral x-rays.
- Dental assistants or dentists then place a small sensor or film in their mouths, allowing them to take a bite to take an X-ray picture.
- Your child should remain still for a few seconds while an X-ray scan is taken of them; however, their dentist or dental assistant may require multiple X-rays from different angles to capture an accurate image of all their teeth and jawbone.
- After the X-rays are taken, your dentist will review them with you to address any concerns or suggest additional treatments or X-rays depending on your child’s oral health.
Conclusion
Dental X-rays are a vital and safe tool pediatric dentists use for diagnosing and treating dental issues in children. By detecting dental issues early, dentists at the pediatric level can deter more severe issues from emerging, saving you and your child money on treatment later on. If you’re concerned about scheduling an appointment for an X-ray of your child, make an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentist. They can provide more information about its safety and necessity.
