Your child’s safety is our top priority and always will be here at Shaenfield Pediatric Dentistry. Thus, we want you to feel comfortable with the exam process that your child will undergo at our dental office. Dental X-rays are an excellent tool used in the world of dentistry that let us see what the naked eye cannot, but some parents get a little concerned about the radiation exposure. We’re here to put your mind at ease and demystify the question on every parent’s mind—are dental X-rays safe for my kid?
Why Dental X-Rays?
In conjunction with a visual examination, digital dental X-rays are used during routine dental exams to detect any possible signs of cavities, issues with gum health, or tooth-eruption complications. This imaging allows us to identify issues that would be difficult or even impossible to see otherwise. While dental X-rays aren’t always needed at every single check-up, it’s sometimes necessary for children to get them a little bit more often due to the nature of their constant growth and development. While getting a dental X-ray will expose your child to a low dose of radiation, it is very minimal and akin to spending a day outside in the sun (as opposed to a CT scan, which exposes patients up to two-thirds of a year’s worth of radiation).
What We Do to Protect Your Child
Our team takes every possible precaution when X-raying your child’s mouth. Firstly, we only take X-rays when necessary, and we only use digital X-ray technology, which emits much less radiation than traditional X-rays. A leaded apron and thyroid collar will also be placed on your child so that the exposure to radiation is as low as possible. Moreover, we follow the principle of ALARA, which—in layman’s terms—is the safest way to administer radiation using As Low As Reasonably Achievable as the summary of the approach.
Ask Our Team Additional Questions!
We hope you feel a little bit better about your child getting dental X-rays at their next visit. If you have any more questions on the subject or would like to schedule your child’s next appointment, contact us today.Contact Us
