Dental x-rays allow dentists to see tooth roots below the gums.
Dentists use x-rays to further examine a patient's teeth and gums. Dental x-rays can show problems such as bone loss, tooth decay, and abscesses that occur under the gums near the root of the tooth. The frequency of dental x-rays depends on the patient's age and previous dental history.
Children/Young Adult X-ray Frequency
A dentist may recommend bite-wing x-rays every year or two years for children without the presence of tooth decay. Teenagers whose wisdom teeth have not broken through the gums yet may require bite-wing x-rays and every one and a half to three years if they do not show signs of tooth decay, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit medical center.
Adult X-ray Frequency
Adults may need to have bite-wing x-rays every year if tooth decay is present. Adults without previous dental problems generally need x-rays every two to three years, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Considerations
Patients who smoke, have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, or who have had multiple fillings resulting from tooth cavities may require frequent dental x-rays. Dental x-ray machines emit small amounts of radiation, and the Cleveland Clinic recommends that patients only receive dental x-rays when medically necessary.
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