To keep an eye on a child’s oral development, their dentist will utilize X-rays. Dental X-rays are completely safe and valuable tools for early detection. Learn about the process in the following guide to reassure your child of its necessity.

Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?

Teeth are bones, which is why X-rays are used to provide an image of their interior, where decay and damage may be hidden. Additionally, X-rays show how unerupted adult teeth are developing below the gum line. Without these insights, oral health conditions without visible symptoms could develop unbeknownst to your child.

What Do X-Rays Detect?

Dental X-rays can uncover a number of oral health issues in children, like signs of decay or cavities, abnormalities in the tooth roots, gum disease development below the gum line, and unerupted teeth misalignment. These findings allow a dentist to prescribe early treatment and prevention strategies.

Periapical X-rays show an individual tooth from crown to root. Panoramic X-rays capture all of the teeth in the mouth, including those that haven’t yet erupted. Bitewing X-rays detect changes in the bone.

What Is the Procedure Like?

Your child will first sit in a chair and bite down on a piece of rubber designed to position their jaw for the X-ray. A technician will then hold a mobile X-ray machine up to their jaw at various angles to capture images. It’s a fast, non-invasive process with no side effects. A dentist will usually take care of an X-ray before a standard cleaning.

If it’s time for your child’s next dental care checkup and X-ray, turn to the dentists at Pediatric Dental Group. They’ve served Honolulu, HI, since 1966, offering comprehensive pediatric and orthodontic care to kids of all ages. They’re also available for emergencies. Explore their services on their website, and call (808) 593-8828 to schedule a teeth cleaning. You can also visit their Facebook page for news and health updates.