If your mouth feels perfectly fine, you might be surprised when your dentist recommends that you get dental X-Rays taken during a routine checkup. You might even hesitate to agree to the X-Rays because you are concerned about radiation or cost. But there is no need to worry — digital dental X-rays are one of the safest diagnostic procedures, and they are often free with insurance. Most important, they provide significant oral health benefits. Let’s talk more about how they play a role in protecting your oral health.
A Glimpse Below the Surface
Your dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach has a keen eye for detail. Even so, a basic visual examination simply cannot detect all signs of a developing oral health problem. Some issues begin to develop beneath the gumline or in the snug spaces between the teeth. An X-Ray allows your dentist to examine these hard-to-see areas and catch possible problems before they cause you pain.
For example, if you still have your wisdom teeth, and they are beneath your gumline, routine X-Rays will help your dentist determine if they need to be removed before they cause complications. X-Rays can also allow your dentist to spot small cavities and early signs of infection or problems with the jawbone.
Monitoring Dental Development
Many dentists recommend that their adult patients get X-Rays taken once a year. However, more frequent X-Rays may be necessary for children. That’s because dentists strive to keep a close eye on the development of the teeth and jaw. For example, they need to know if the adult teeth are coming in correctly and if orthodontics might be necessary to guide the growth of the jawbone.
Getting to Know New Patients
If you have recently relocated, or you request an appointment with a new dentist for other reasons, your new dental team may automatically take a set of X-Rays — even if it has been less than a year since the last time you got X-Rays taken. They do this in order to gain a comprehensive picture of your oral health before they design a treatment plan or oral health maintenance plan for you.
Preparing for Treatment
X-Rays are often necessary prior to complex dental treatments, such as root canal therapy and wisdom tooth extractions. Similarly, if your dentist previously recommended a treatment, but it has been a while since they made that recommendation, they may request additional X-Rays before you proceed with the recommended service. Your dentist needs to know the current status of any dental issues before they begin working on your smile.
Routine dental X-Rays help your dentist to keep a close eye on your oral health and protect your smile for the long haul. There is no need to hesitate to agree to this safe, simple, and noninvasive procedure.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Kristopher Harth and Eric Townsend provide comprehensive dental care in the Ponte Vedra Beach area to patients of all ages. They routinely use digital dental X-Rays and other advanced technology to help them monitor their patients’ oral health. To learn more about our dentists, our practice, or the technology in our office, contact us at 904-285-7711.