Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Children?

A child’s smile is still developing, even if they’re a teen, which makes routine checkups, X-rays, and cleanings crucial in order to start their adult smile off on the right track. With regular X-rays, your child’s dentist will be able to spot impacted teeth, identify any potential infections, and let you know if they require early orthodontic intervention. Without them, it could leave your little one’s smile at risk. While X-rays may have been risky for children to regularly receive at one point, technology has progressed to make this process completely safe, and here’s how.

What’s the Difference Between Film & Digital X-Rays?

When you were a child, you most likely had film X-rays taken of your mouth each time you visited your pediatric dentist. They took awhile to develop, because they had to be processed using special chemicals before your dentist could even look at them, and they most likely made your appointments lengthier than your child’s are today. Not to mention, the quality of the images weren’t stellar.

Today, most dentists use a more efficient and effective imaging system to view the area of your child’s mouth that lies below the gums, called digital X-rays. Much like a digital camera transfers images directly to an SD card instead of on film that needs to be processed, X-rays work similarly. Because the system is connected to a computer, it allows dentists to immediately view them. They’re also better quality.

How Are Digital X-Rays Safe for Children?

Digital X-rays expose children to significantly less radiation, about 95 percent less to be exact. This eliminates the need for them to wear lead aprons during the process and the radiation exposure is so low that it’s completely safe for them to receive regular X-rays throughout the year.

Why Are Routine Dental X-Rays So Important?

Children often receive dental X-rays more frequently than adults because their smiles are still in the developmental stages, making them important to monitor more closely. As their baby teeth begin to fall out, their permanent ones will grow in. As they do, orthodontic issues could develop, like bite misalignment, and their teeth may be at a higher risk of decay and infection, depending on how diligent they are about sticking to their oral hygiene routine. X-rays will allow their dentist to spot these issues early on so they don’t put their adult smile in harm’s way.

With routine dental appointments with their children’s dentist, you’ll be able to rest-assured that your little one’s smile is on the right track. Digital X-rays are a safe and effective preventive method to spearhead that effort.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Duong has over a decade of experience in the dental field and boasts additional training in several specialties, including pediatric dentistry. He is passionate about helping children gain a strong foundation of knowledge about their oral health to keep their smile on the right track, and he offers a wide array of kid-friendly dental treatments. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your child, visit Renaissance Dental’s website or call 817-289-5200.