HOW MANY X-RAYS ARE SAFE IN A YEAR?

One thing to keep in mind about X-ray safety is that it’s not the number of X-rays that put you at risk, but the intensity of each X-ray.

Dental X-rays are typically performed each year. Although, we may suggest a dental X-ray sooner than a year to better monitor the progress of your child’s dental condition.

The number and frequency of dental X-rays your child may need depends on a few factors, such as:

• Age

• Oral health

• Risk factors or symptoms of oral disease

• History of gum disease (gingivitis) or tooth decay

It is normal for us to request dental X-rays if your child is a new patient. This is so we can get a good understanding of your child’s current dental health to understand his or her needs.

If this is your child’s first dental visit, getting a dental X-ray of their baby teeth is especially important. This is so we can identify any existing oral health issues. If your child has been to the dentist before and has completed a dental X-ray within the last year, sometimes we will request a copy of the most recent X-Ray to reduce exposure.

Children need to have dental X-rays completed more often than adults, because it’s important for us to monitor the growth and development of their adult teeth.

While dental X-rays do involve radiation, the exposed levels are so low that they’re considered safe for children and adults. For this reason, there is no suggested limit of dental X-rays per year, however it is important to limit the amount of exposure if possible