Are dental X rays safe? Understanding radiation exposure

X-rays are used in medical and dental clinics to evaluate and diagnose certain conditions.

Why is that? Well, Dentists can often see or feel problems when they check your teeth. 

But sometimes, they need a closer look. 

For example, by taking digital 'bite-wing' X-rays, the dentist can find areas of decay between teeth before they can be seen with just the eye. 

Children may need X-rays so the dentist can check their teeth' growth and lining up. 

These pictures are important for planning treatments, to ensure kids have well-aligned and healthy teeth.

The biggest worry for most people regarding dental X-rays is the possible risk from radiation exposure.

In fact, several patients from 4th Floor Dental have raised concerns about it.

What most people don't know is that digital dental X-rays use 80% to 90% less radiation compared to traditional dental X-rays.

In this post, we will share everything you need to know about X-rays for your dental care.

What are dental X-rays?

Just like how X-rays are used to capture images of the inside of your body, dental X-rays also use electromagnetic radiation to produce pictures of your teeth, jaw, and surrounding areas. 

This type of radiation passes through your soft tissues and forms images of your teeth and bones.

Dental X-rays can be taken in two ways: traditional with film or digital with digital sensors.

Dentists use X-rays to examine these structures and identify a wide range of oral health problems:

• Cavities between teeth.
• Decay under fillings.
• Position of unerupted or impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth.
• Jaw bone loss.
• Infections or abscesses.
• Some types of tumors.
• Under dental emergencies. 

A dentist also asks for X-rays to check if you can get treatments like dental implants or dentures. 

Or to see how you heal after specific procedures, like a root canal.

The two most common types of X-rays used in dentistry are bitewing and periapical X-rays. 

Bitewing X-rays are often used to find cavities and check the health of the teeth and gums. 

They show the top and bottom parts of the teeth and can find decay between teeth, bone loss from gum disease, and other dental problems.

Periapical X-rays are used to check the whole tooth, from the top to the root, and can find issues like abscesses, cysts, or impacted teeth.

How do dental X-rays work?

A dental X-ray machine uses a type of radiation with very short electromagnetic waves. They can pass through materials that visible light cannot, but are stopped by denser materials like bone or metal in teeth. 

When X-rays pass through objects and reach film or photographic plates, they create an image on them.

In these images, the teeth appear lighter than the gums and soft tissues because they absorb more of the X-rays. 

Areas of tooth decay and infection appear darker in the images because they absorb less of the X-ray.

In the past, dental X-ray machines used film to take pictures inside and outside the mouth. 

Nowadays, most X-ray machines use a digital sensor to take pictures. This sensor can be a small portable one for taking pictures inside the mouth, or it can be part of a fixed panoramic X-ray machine for taking pictures outside the mouth.

But how are dental X-rays done?

Before getting dental X-rays, a technician will cover your chest with a lead apron and may put a thyroid collar around your neck to protect you from extra radiation.

When it’s time for the X-rays, you will sit in a chair or stand in front of an X-ray machine. The technician will place the film or sensor and then press a button to take the X-ray image. 

It’s important to stay as still as you can during this process.

Is radiation from dental X-rays dangerous?

Did you know that the radiation from a full set of dental X-rays is similar to the radiation from TVs, smartphones, and computers?

Dental X-rays are considered safe because they emit minimal radiation, mainly when compared to other medical imaging techniques.

Dentists take steps to limit your radiation exposure during appointments. The benefits of dental X-rays for diagnosis and treatment planning outweigh their potential risks.

However, dental X-rays can be harmful in large doses can be dangerous. 

The main concern is that strong radiation can damage our body's cells by affecting their DNA.

This type of radiation can produce harmful particles called free radicals that hurt cells and their genetic material.

While our bodies can usually repair this damage, too much radiation can overwhelm these repair systems. This increases the chance of DNA changes, which may lead to cancer.

That's why it's important not to have X-rays more often than necessary. 

Before an appointment, patients who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant should let their dentist know.

Comparing radiation levels: Dental X-rays vs other sources

Here’s a simple breakdown of radiation exposure from different sources vs dental x-rays.

Each year, the average person is exposed to 3.2 milliseverts (mSv) of radiation from natural sources. That's about 0.009 mSv per day.

A 2-hour flight exposes you to 0.035 mSv.

Surprisingly, a banana can expose you to 0.1 mSv.

During a standard dental examination, you receive 2 bitewing X-rays, each exposing you to 0.001 mSv, totaling 0.002 mSv.

Dentists may also take an Orthopantomogram X-ray to show all the structures around the head and provide a full view of all teeth and bone levels in your mouth. This exposes you to 0.007 mSv of radiation.

This exposure level is minimal—well within safe limits. Not bad.

Safety measures used during X-rays

The first step toward safety is to talk to your dentist about how often you really need dental X-rays. 

The frequency of X-rays you need depends on your oral health history, age, and risk factors for dental conditions.

Remember that your dentist or dental hygienist will provide you with a lead apron or thyroid collar during a dental X-ray. 

These protective garments are designed to shield your vital organs from radiation. 

It's important to wear these protective garments properly as the dental professional instructs.

Digital X-rays emit significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays, reducing exposure by up to 90%. So, look for a clinic that provides this type of X-rays. 

When choosing a dental clinic for X-rays, opt for one that invests in updated equipment and staff training. 

At 4th Floor Dental, we are proud to ensure that our cutting-edge equipment provides patients with safe X-rays.

Who should avoid dental X-rays?

Certain people should avoid dental X-rays:

Pregnant women should avoid having dental X-rays until after they give birth to protect the developing baby, which is more sensitive to radiation than adults.

During pregnancy, it's important for patients to maintain good oral hygiene at home to prevent gum problems from developing.

Patients with certain health conditions or those who have had many X-rays before may need to limit their exposure. This includes people who have had cancer or treatments that make them more sensitive to radiation.

Are children more vulnerable to X-ray radiation?

Children are more sensitive to X-ray radiation than adults. 

Because their bodies are still growing, children's tissues and organs are more sensitive. Their organs and systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation. 

Children's cells divide more rapidly than those of adults, they are at a higher risk of mutations caused by radiation.

This means that children have a higher risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure compared to adults.

Due to these reasons, it's important to minimize unnecessary X-ray exposure in children.

In pediatric dental practices, special precautions are taken to protect children during X-ray procedures. 

Children are provided with lead aprons and thyroid collars to shield sensitive areas of their bodies from radiation. 

These protective garments are custom-sized for children to ensure maximum coverage and safety. 

Specialized positioning aids are used to help children maintain the correct posture and stay still during X-ray procedures, ensuring clear and accurate images while minimizing the need for retakes. 

How often is it safe to get dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays expose you to a low amount of radiation and are generally safe. 

Most adults should get dental X-rays every 24 to 36 months for regular check-ups. 

However, if you have a history of dental issues or are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may need X-rays more often.

Conclusion

Dental X-rays are included in every dental care plan for both children and adults.

Remember that X-rays help dentists find and treat dental problems. 

They don't usually cause harm if safety steps are followed. 

To stay safe, talk to your dentist about how often you need X-rays, wear a lead apron during the X-ray, consider digital X-rays, speak up if you're worried, and go to a good dental clinic.

Dental X-rays might seem complex at first, but 4th Floor Dental is happy to help patients understand X-rays and X-ray safety. 

If you need more information about whether dental X-rays are safe, please feel free to contact us.