Maintaining good oral health in children is essential to their overall health and should not be neglected. Dental health issues can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and even more severe health conditions like heart disease. Thus, regular dental exams are crucial to maintain good oral health.
Every time a check-up for your dental health is conducted, your child’s dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of their teeth and gums and look for signs of dental problems. However, not all problems can be identified with an eye exam. Dental X-rays are highly beneficial and allow dentists to observe the depths of the gums and teeth to identify hidden issues.
All About Dental X-rays for Children
Let’s talk about why dental X-rays are necessary to be used, which are the ones most frequently by pediatric dentistry practices, and what parents can expect at an appointment for dental X-rays for their child.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?
Dental X-rays help dentists in the field of pediatric dentistry to recognize and treat dental issues that aren’t readily visible to the untrained eye. The jaws and teeth of children change constantly, and by identifying any potential issues early, dental facilities and their pediatric dentistry services can establish a treatment plan to stop more serious issues from developing later.
Dental X-rays are safe and generate the least amount of radiation. For more information on radiation safety, talk to a pediatric 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 kinds of X-ray imaging. Here are a few of them:
- Bitewing Xrays: These X-rays display how the crowns of the upper and lower teeth are in contact and allow your dentist to identify cavities or decay more effectively.
- Periapical X-Rays: Periapical Rays show a picture of the root system’s parts and surrounding bone structure. They can help identify dental abscesses, tooth impacts, and other ailments that require treatment.
- Panoramic: X-rays show the entire mouth area, including all teeth, jawbone, and sinuses. They help detect issues related to the development of teeth, TMJ disorders, and other issues that affect oral and jaw health. You can search for a dental clinic online and inquire about their teeth cleaning & dental X-ray services that are needed to cure your dental problem.
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 brush and floss their teeth with care. Furthermore, inform them about the procedures involved and how the X-ray machine functions. The following is a list of what to expect during an appointment:
- Your dentist will ask your child to stand or sit in front of a machine while being protected from radiation by wearing a lead apron across their stomach and chest. Dental facilities like Smile Greensboro offer various dental procedures and treatments for your family. You can book a visit to their facility online.
- Dental assistants or dentists then put a tiny sensor or film in their mouths to bite down on it to capture an X-ray image.
- Your child must remain in a still position for a while while an X-ray is taken them. However, their dentist or assistant may require multiple X-rays taken from different angles to capture an accurate picture of all their teeth and the jawbone.
- Once the X-rays have been taken and reviewed by your dentist, they will go over them and discuss them with you to discuss any concerns or suggest additional treatments or X-rays based on your child’s oral health needs.
Conclusion
Dental X-rays are a crucial and safe tool pediatric dentists use to detect and treat dental issues in children. By detecting dental issues early, pediatric dentists can prevent the emergence of more severe problems, saving both you and your child money on treatments later. If you’re worried about an appointment for your child’s X-ray, make an appointment with their pediatric dentist. He will give additional information regarding its safety and necessity.