The American Dental Association recommends that healthy adults with no apparent significant dental problems only need to have x-rays every 2 or 3 years. However, the ADA suggests that patients with recurrent tooth decay or other oral complications have x-rays taken once or twice a year.
Dental x-rays
detect any current or developing problems, such as damage or disease, in the teeth and gums that would not otherwise be visible on an exam. They show the dentist's problem areas and confirm suspicions about cavities, infections and more.Dental x-rays identify any risks to your oral health so that your dentist can better advise you on the next course of action. Sometimes, dentists will point out possible cavities and tell you, so you can work to prevent them from turning into cavities. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift items to give away each month. Anyone can read what you share.
My dental hygienist congratulated me on the health of my teeth and gums. Then he said something that you have also undoubtedly heard while sitting in the dentist's chair. But the easy answer isn't necessarily the right one. Do I need bite x-rays every year? The American Dental Association says I can't, and neither can you.
Adults with no apparent dental problems don't need dental x-rays of any kind every year, A, D, A. Adults who take proper care of their teeth and have no symptoms of oral disease or tooth decay can spend two to three years between bite x-rays, according to A, D, A. Adults at high risk of tooth decay (such as those with a history of tooth decay) should receive it at least every 18 months and possibly more often, depending on the condition of the teeth and gums. The interval between x-rays is determined by the rate at which cavities develop.
It usually takes about two years or more for cavities to penetrate adult tooth enamel. The speed is faster for children, so the recommended bite intervals are shorter for them. However, children with properly spaced primary (baby) teeth without cavities do not need a dental x-ray. Older children with a low propensity for tooth decay may spend 18 months to three years between a bite x-ray.
People at higher risk may need them more often. Bites and other dental x-rays have their place; there is a risk of not taking them. X-rays help dentists see cavities, gum disease, the position of teeth still below the gum line, and other dental conditions that aren't visible to the naked eye. Other types of dental and orthodontic images, such as full mouth, full head, panographs or 3D cone beam computed tomography, reveal more.
But dentists tend to abuse them. Friedman, a dentist who advises Consumer Reports on dental problems, has been warning about the excessive use of dental imaging since the 1970s. Other x-rays used for orthodontic treatments, wisdom tooth extraction and implants, such as cephalographs (lateral radiography of the skull and jaws) or 3D cone beam computed tomography, are not routinely needed, according to Dr. A study found that, while X-ray images increase orthodontists' confidence in their diagnoses and treatment plans, the vast majority of plans are made before they are seen.
All x-rays can be harmful, although the radiation dose of bites is relatively low. Of all the medical radiation patients receive, dental x-rays account for less than 3 percent. But radiation damage is cumulative. Every x-ray increases the risk of damage that can cause cancer.
An unnecessary bite or other dental x-ray is unnecessary damage. The scan confers the same radiation dose as six traditional dental x-rays, with only limited tests of greater diagnostic or treatment value than images with lower radiation. While dental x-rays emit a relatively low dose of radiation compared to other medical images, a study involving more than 2,700 patients seemed to find a link with an increased risk of intracranial meningioma, the most common form of brain tumor (when exposure to radiation from x-rays (it was larger than today). it was).
Patients with a tumor were twice as likely as patients without one to have had a bitten x-ray. A limitation of the study is that its findings were based on patients' recall of dental x-rays, not on more objective medical data, which are not available. However, the study is consistent with earlier, smaller studies that documented an increased risk of tumors associated with dental x-rays. Dental x-rays help dentists visualize diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a simple oral exam.
They also help the dentist find and treat dental problems early on, which can help you save money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life. Radiation levels are so low that even people who are pregnant or breastfeeding can have dental x-rays safely and without fear. Other people who don't have dental or gum disease recently and who have ongoing scheduled visits with their dentist may only need x-rays every two years. Dental x-rays emit very low levels of radiation, so while you are exposed to radiation, the levels are low enough to minimize the risk of potentially harmful effects.
Exposure to all sources of radiation, such as the sun, minerals in the earth, household appliances and dental x-rays, can damage tissues and cells in the body and cause the development of cancer. Without dental x-rays, any problem that isn't visible could go unnoticed and cause potentially serious dental problems, such as tooth decay. Instead of showing X-ray film in a dark room, x-rays are sent directly to a computer and can be viewed on the screen, stored, or printed. First-visit x-rays are also used to compare them with X-rays taken over time to detect problems and unexpected changes.
How often you receive dental x-rays is affected by your age, your oral health, your risk of illness, and whether or not you have shown any signs of damage or illness. However, suppose you have a history of dental problems or have demonstrated the possibility of developing damage or illness. In that case, your London dentist will recommend more frequent x-rays to ensure your oral health is good. While some people need x-rays more frequently, current guidelines require that x-rays be performed only when necessary for clinical diagnosis. .
.
