At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we’re committed to utilizing cutting-edge technology to provide our young patients with outstanding dental care. Our digital dental x-ray equipment offers a valuable tool to uncover and address dental problems in their earliest stages. The question is, how safe are dental x-rays?

Why Are Digital Dental X-Rays Needed?

A visual dental exam cannot reveal everything we need to know about your child’s smile. Digital dental x-rays help detect tooth decay (dental caries), early gum disease, tumors, cysts, and much more. Diagnosing and treating dental problems in their earliest stages will prevent the need for extensive treatments down the road.

With digital dental x-rays, we can quickly and efficiently evaluate the formation of developing teeth, diagnose bone disease or injuries, discover problems such as missing or extra teeth, and plan for upcoming orthodontic treatments. The innovative technology allows us to effectively track the progress of dental procedures and identify changes in your little one’s teeth over time.

Are Digital X-Rays Safe for Children?

Dental x-ray technology has come a long way, with today’s equipment providing a safer experience than ever before. In fact, they pose much less of a risk to your child than leaving dental problems undetected or untreated. At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we utilize high-speed, low radiation x-ray equipment with 80 to 90 percent lower radiation exposure compared to traditional dental x-rays with their already minimal levels of radiation.

Comparing radiation exposure from digital radiography with everyday life demonstrates how safe our x-ray technology is. Consider the following; a single tooth x-ray will expose your child to less radiation than a day spent at the Grand Canyon, and a flight from Los Angeles to New York City will expose your child to more radiation than full mouth digital x-rays!

Digital x-rays are incredibly safe. Even though their radiation exposure is so low, our team at Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry adheres to all recommended safety protocols, including the use of lead body aprons and shields, to limit your child’s exposure even more!

What Are the Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays?

Digital dental x-rays take multiple digital images all at once and display them instantly, significantly reducing your child’s time in the dentist’s chair. The accuracy and superior quality of the images captured allow us to plan your child’s dental care more efficiently. Moreover, we can store the dental images digitally and share them with other specialists easily, if needed. Digital dental x-rays are more environmentally friendly than traditional x-rays because they don’t require film and processing chemicals that produce biohazardous waste.

How Often Do Children Require Digital Dental X-Rays?

Our young patients typically require x-rays once a year. However, children at a high risk of tooth decay or dental problems may require more frequent monitoring. At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we determine the frequency of digital x-rays based on your child’s unique needs. Even though the technology is highly safe, we only recommend x-rays when needed.

How Can You Minimize the Need for X-Rays?

Make sure to encourage your child to maintain proper oral hygiene practices at home, including tooth-brushing at least twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing daily. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s visits to Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry as recommended to ensure we diagnose any condition early on when easiest to treat. Keeping your child’s smile healthy will translate to less future need for dental x-rays.

Quality Pediatric Dentistry in Glendale, AZ

Visit Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about digital dental x-rays and how they contribute to maintaining healthy smiles. Our kid-friendly team is committed to delivering the highest level of care and service. Call us and schedule your appointment today!