Why Are X-rays Important for Dental Health in Children?

Dental x-rays are important for children to prevent or treat potential dental problems. This article discusses the importance of this type of imaging and why it’s so useful when checking up on your little ones’ teeth!

It is very important to understand, and continuously work at maintaining your child’s dental health. One of the most powerful tools parents and dentists have to accomplish this goal is x-rays. X-rays are a technology that allows professionals to observe what cannot be seen from an external visual inspection. In other words, they allow us to take a peek inside the mouth that we would normally not see with our own eyes. In order to fully examine all aspects of a child’s oral cavity, including the teeth, gums, bone structure and airways it takes several x-rays during various stages of their life.

Reasons Dental X-ray Screenings Are Important

1. Dental X-rays allow us to view the teeth and soft tissues inside your child’s mouth.
2. They can alert us to serious infections, bone loss or damage to other tissues within the oral cavity.
3. It can help determine if further treatment is needed for cavities, pyorrhea, abscesses and other dental health issues that need attention
4. Assessment of certain areas of hard and soft tissue in children may require x-rays. Examples include jawbone growth monitoring, tracking orthodontic alignment or placement of dental implants; determining if wisdom teeth need removal; evaluating the possibility of developing periodontal disease (early) etc…
5. Dr. Botero will routinely use radiographs (x-rays) to monitor the health of your child’s tooth enamel.
6. Dr. Botero will ask the hygienist to take dental X-rays so any problems with your child’s teeth can be assessed, especially if you do not bring them along for 6 month visits.
7. Dr. Botero may use dental x-rays after an injury to determine if there are any broken teeth or bone fractures that need further medical attention for treatment and recovery.
8. Dental X-rays play a crucial role in diagnosing disease, understanding risk factors associated with oral cancer, and planning treatments before they become too severe.
9. Because children tend to get cavities at a very young age (as early as 3), our Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry team will use X-rays to identify any cavities and other dental issues that may require treatment.
10. We also use x-rays to thoroughly assess your child’s developing teeth and make sure they are positioned properly in the jawbone. Dr. Botero, your child’s pediatrician and/or orthodontist can take a look at these X-rays to make recommendations about how best to protect and maintain their dental health throughout childhood and into adulthood.
11. The typical amount of radiation exposure from an X-ray is 1/100th to 1/1000th of a chest x-ray. It’s also important to note that the amount of time your child will be exposed to the actual film is short, possibly less than one second.
12. While dental x-rays are generally safe, it’s still important to educate yourself and your child on this topic.

Schedule a Dental X-ray Appointment Today!

As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. As much as possible, you try to shield them from pain and prevent illness. That includes taking proper care of their teeth–by encouraging good brushing techniques and healthy eating habits. You take them to the dentist regularly so they can get their teeth cleaned by the hygienist who also tells you if there are any problems with your child’s oral health. X-rays are part of routine oral care to safeguard your child’s smile now and for years to come!

Call Dr. Botero at Li’l Sunshine Smiles at (813) 576-0200 to schedule an appointment and to learn more about dental x-rays.