Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

When it comes to dental health, X-rays play a crucial role in diagnosing issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. However, due to radiation exposure, many patients worry – are dental X-rays safe? At McKinney Dental Wellness in McKinney, TX, we take a holistic approach to dental care, aiming to limit the number of X-rays to those truly necessary. Let’s explore the safety of dental X-rays and compare their radiation exposure to everyday sources.

Understanding Radiation in Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays use low levels of radiation to capture images of your teeth and gums. While any exposure to radiation carries some risk, the amount used in dental X-rays is extremely small. Dr. Leday ensures that the minimal radiation exposure aligns with her holistic practice, only recommending X-rays when absolutely needed.

Comparing Radiation Exposure

To put things into perspective, it’s helpful to compare the radiation from dental X-rays to natural radiation we encounter daily:

• Natural Background Radiation: On average, a person is exposed to the equivalent of around 300 dental X-rays worth of natural background radiation per year from sources like the sun, soil, and air.

• Dental X-Rays: A single dental X-ray exposes you to about the same amount of radiation you’d naturally get in a day.

• Daily Activities: For comparison, taking a cross-country flight exposes you to the same amount of radiation as about 10 dental X-rays, and living at a higher altitude increases your annual exposure due to less atmospheric shielding from cosmic rays.

Minimizing X-Ray Exposure

At McKinney Dental Wellness, the focus is on your overall well-being. Here’s how Dr. Leday and her team manage X-ray usage:

• Individualized Care: X-rays are tailored to each patient’s needs. Rather than a routine schedule, they are recommended based on specific concerns or changes in dental health.

• Annual Review: Typically, we would like a diagnostic X-ray taken once every year and a half or so, assuming there are no major changes in oral health. However, this varies based off patient need.

• Targeted Imaging: If an issue arises, a single X-ray of the affected tooth is taken to minimize exposure.

Why X-Rays Are Still Important

Despite the low risk, X-rays are invaluable for detecting hidden dental problems such as cavities between teeth, bone infections, and impacted teeth. They provide a complete picture of your oral health, ensuring that issues are caught early and treated effectively.

Holistic Dental Care at McKinney Dental Wellness in McKinney, TX

At McKinney Dental Wellness, Dr. Julia Leday and her team are committed to providing holistic and patient-centered dental care. By limiting X-ray exposure and using them judiciously, they prioritize your health and well-being. Schedule your next appointment with us in McKinney, TX, and experience personalized, mindful dental care.

Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Dental FAQ