How Often Should Teeth Be X-Rayed?
Many people require regular X-rays to keep track of their oral health. How
often should X-rays be done? The answer depends on your medical and dental
history and the current condition of your mouth. Some people may need X-rays as
often as every six months. People who visit the dentist regularly and have
excellent oral health may need X-rays only every three years or so. To see how often you or your family members might need X-rays, check out
this chart. It is based on information from the American Dental Association and
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since children with a low risk
of tooth decay don't need X-rays as often, practicing good buy dental equipment can help minimize the need for X-rays. Twice a day, brush your child's
teeth with a product like Colgate Kids Cavity Protection toothpaste, which
fights cavities with clinically proven fluoride formula for kids.
Who needs more frequent or regular X-rays?
·
Children and teenagers — Children and teens who have a history of many
cavities may need X-rays every six months or every year, depending on age. So
may those who have a high risk of decay for other reasons. X-rays also help to
keep track of tooth development.
·
Adults with many fillings, crowns, bridges or other restorations — X-rays
help the dentist find decay beneath your fillings and crowns or in new places.
·
People with periodontal (gum) disease — X-rays can reveal signs of bone
loss. If this has happened, then you may need periodontal (gum) surgery.
·
People with dry mouth, also called xerostomia —Saliva helps keep your
mouth and teeth healthy by regulating the acid levels (pH) in the mouth. In a
dry mouth, the pH decreases. This causes the minerals in the teeth to break
down, resulting in more cavities. Many medicines can cause dry mouth. It also
can be a result of cancer treatment or a long-term disease.
Reasons for X-Rays--- In 2012, the American Dental
Association (ADA) released new guidelines regarding portable dental x ray unit, dentists use these
guidelines and their professional judgment to decide when children need x-rays. Before dentists recommend x-rays, they review your child's health history
and complete a clinical examination. There are lots of areas of your child's
mouth that they can't see during an examiniation, like under the gums or inside
the teeth. Since x-rays expose children to radiation, many parents are worried about
the risk of conditions like cancer. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
reassures parents that the amount of radiation that's received during a dental x-ray is extremely small. Today's x-ray equipment lets dentists focus the x-ray
beam on the area of interest to reduce radiation exposure. Protective equipment
like lead body aprons and shields also keep your child safe during their
procedure. X-rays for children have many important uses. If you're concerned about x-rays, consider your child's dentist's advice.
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