One question dental care professionals often hear from parents is whether or not X-rays are safe for kids. The staff at Schaible Dental Group of Saint Peters and St. Louis, MO, wishes to put these concerns to rest. Not only are X-rays safe for kids, but they also play a prominent role in ensuring your child receives proper dental care.

Although X-ray machines are designed to limit the amount of radiation passing through a patient, extra precautions—such as the fitting of a lead apron—will be employed to minimize radiation exposure even further. The weight of the vest is the only discomfort you can expect your child to experience (and it’s quite minimal). The scan itself is painless, brief, and invaluable in identifying tooth problems.

If your child is reporting discomfort in a tooth, the dentist may use an X-ray to look for fractures, cavities, tooth decay, and other possible causes. If it’s a deeper pain, your dentist can also examine the root of the tooth for cysts or abscesses, which indicate the need for extraction and can’t be seen during a regular examination. When your dental care professional can spot these problems early, there’s a much better chance of stopping them from developing into severe issues.

If you still have doubts about X-rays, contact your local dental care team at Schaible Dental Group today. Call the St. Louis office at (314) 355-5700 or the St. Peters location at (636) 279-1633 to schedule an appointment for your child. To browse their standard and emergency dental care services, visit their Facebook or website.