Dental X-rays

Dental X-Rays

(continued)

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

If you can't stay still or hold the X-ray plastic or cardboard in your teeth.
If you have braces, retainers, dentures, bridges, and certain body piercings (ear, tongue, lip, cheek, or nose).

What To Think About

Dental X-ray equipment is safe and uses very little radiation. States often have strict regulations and inspection procedures to check the safety of X-rays and X-ray equipment. Oral health professionals are taught to take high-quality X-rays with a small amount of radiation exposure to you.
If you are going to a new dentist, have your other dentist send copies of your dental X-rays to your new dentist. You may not need any more X-rays with your new dentist.
The following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dental X-ray guidelines are for people who have no tooth decay and are not at high risk of getting cavities:
- Adults should have bitewing X-rays every 2 to 3 years.
- Teens should have bitewing X-rays every 1� to 3 years.
- Children should have bitewing X-rays every 1 to 2 years.
The following FDA guidelines are for people who have tooth decay or are at high risk of getting cavities:
- Adults should have bitewing X-rays every 1 to 1� years.
- Teens should have bitewing X-rays every 6 to 12 months until no tooth decay is seen.
- Children should have bitewing X-rays every 6 months until no tooth decay is seen.
Many dentists think that all adults should have a panoramic X-ray every 2 to 5 years to check for mouth and teeth problems.
Some dentists use digital radiography. This method uses an electronic sensor instead of X-ray film. An electronic image is taken and stored in a computer. This image can be viewed on a computer screen. Less radiation is needed to make an image with digital radiography than with standard dental X-rays.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry
Last Revised	June 9, 2010

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Only 18.5% of Americans never floss. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Floss removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it turns to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Try flossing just one tooth to get started.

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for 3 more days!

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily, but you're well on your way to making a positive impact on your teeth and gums. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for all 7 days!

Only 50.5% of Americans floss daily, and good for you that you are one of them! Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Congratulations on your good oral health habit!

SOURCES:

American Dental Association, Healthy People 2010

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