Kids Dental Xrays Are Important

Dental X-rays are a diagnostic tool used by dentists to diagnose oral diseases and monitor dentofacial development. We understand that because your child is being exposed to radiation that you may be hesitant to consent to treatment. At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale we take every precaution when treating your kids with dental x-rays. With the use digital X-rays your child is exposure is reduced by 70% vs a traditional film radiograph. During each X-ray, every child wears a lead apron with thyroid collar to future reduce their exposure.

Are Digital X-Rays Harmful for Children?

How much radiation is in a typical digital X-ray

Radiation is measured in milligram or milliSievert (mSv). On average, we receive about 6.25mSv each year. Half of which is from natural background radiation and the other half is man made.

A single digital X-ray is .0001mSV which is equivalent to .1% of an annual radiation dosage. In comparison a 3 hour plane ride is .3mSV, a chest X-ray is anywhere from 10-40msv and a daily exposure is about 1mSv.

When do we take X-rays

At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale we adhere to the standards set by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We determine the need for digital dental sensors and radiographs based upon each child’s individual need. We typically prescribe bitewing X-rays, which diagnose decay between the teeth, soon after the primary teeth touch. Typically around the age of 3-4, but varies for each child. Depending on your child’s caries risk, X-rays are taken every 12-18 months until the permanent teeth erupt. This is because a cavity on a primary tooth can progress in less than 1 year.

X-rays are unfortunately a necessity in every dental practice. Without their use, pathology and oral disease can go undiagnosed and untreated. Taking digital X-rays when needed gives us the ability to keep your child healthy and allow us to make a complete diagnosis.