Preparing your child for early dental exams is the best way to make sure they develop a positive association with pediatric dentistry, and it's important to keep yourself informed, as well. The more you understand about the dental care process, the better, and that understanding extends to what a dental X-ray has to say about your growing child's teeth.

Digital X-rays are one of many tools used at Pediatric Dental Group, which has been providing care tailored to the young children of Hawaii since 1966. Here, they explain reasons why X-rays are important:

• Closely Inspecting Any Hidden Issues: Dental decay and other oral diseases aren't always visible on a surface level. When visual examinations don't cut it, dentists must turn to X-rays for a closer inspection. Even if issues are discovered beforehand, an X-ray will help determine how serious they are and what steps should be taken to combat them.  
• Checking on the Status of Permanent Teeth: X-rays are also used to check in on the status of a child's developing teeth. Is there enough space in the mouth for all of the incoming permanent teeth, or is there crowding that needs to be taken care of first? Are all of the adult teeth present below the gums? Dental exams provide a good opportunity to check on the timing of permanent teeth, wisdom teeth, and any potential bone structure inhibition. 
• Preparing for Further Dental Care: Finally, X-rays have a great deal to say about your child's need for further orthodontic care. They come in handy when preparing for braces or other types of orthodontic treatment, giving the dentist a better idea of how to move forward with any necessary procedures. 

Dental X-rays provide invaluable information that will ultimately be used to improve your child's oral health, and they are always used sparingly and with the utmost regard to safety. For more information on X-rays and how their positive impact on your child's teeth, don't hesitate to talk to one of the experts at Pediatric Dental Group. Visit them online to learn about their practice, and call them at (808) 593-8828 to schedule a dental exam today.