Pediatric Dental X-Rays
You love the thousands of photos you have of your children already, but getting a look at their dental x-rays delivers more fascinating and memorable images. Kids’ mouths change so much as they grow, and while there is plenty to see on the surface, it’s essential for Dr. Mitchell Loeb and his dental team at Kid Grins in Edina, MN, to investigate what’s happening under the teeth too.
Reasons Kids Need Dental X-Rays
There is a lot going on in kids’ mouth, but it’s important for your pediatric dentist to have a complete understanding of a child’s dental development as time passes. Pediatric dental x-rays aren’t taken at every teeth cleaning, but there are several reasons why they are necessary for some kids more often than others:
- Crowding. If your child doesn’t have enough room for all their developing teeth, your dentist needs to see what’s happening under the gumline. It may be time for an orthodontist recommendation.
- Late tooth loss. Every child loses their teeth on their own timeline, but there is a rough schedule for when all teeth should be out. Your dentist may need to see if there is a problem with tooth eruption if baby teeth are still hanging in there.
- Wisdom teeth. Third molars, known as wisdom teeth, can show up on an x-ray before kids hit double digits. These four teeth typically don’t erupt before late teen years, but digital x-rays show where they’re positioned and what kind of havoc they might cause.
- Tooth decay. Kids get cavities in baby teeth and permanent teeth and it’s important to treat them all. X-rays show more of the depth and width of a cavity so your dentist can make a recommendation about treatment.
How Pediatric Dental X-Rays Work
It is an incredible sight to see your child’s baby teeth in their dental x-rays and their adult teeth hovering just out of a sight, waiting for their debut. Depending on when digital x-rays are taken, you may see two entire sets of teeth. As your child grows and their mouth matures, digital images will shift too.
Here is the usual activity where pediatric dental x-rays are concerned:
- Bitewing x-rays taken once every year, unless otherwise needed for a diagnosis.
- Kids at risk of dental disease should have dental x-rays taken frequently, sometimes every six months depending on their oral health.
- Children who have strong tooth enamel and a low risk of tooth problems may only need x-rays every year or two.
If you carry dental insurance, the plan will indicate when dental x-rays are covered for your children, but images can always be taken when a diagnosis must be made. Your pediatric dentist can confirm the covered x-ray frequency with your insurance company. There is always an option to pay out-of-pocket as needed for additional digital images.
The Safety of Dental X-Rays
Your child’s pediatric dentist can see a lot in their mouth, but they can’t see inside the teeth or under the gums. X-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool that delivers the big picture, but it’s natural to be concerned about your child’s exposure to radiation. Keep the following in mind:
- Dental x-ray imaging machines are set to the lowest radiation needed.
- The possibility of any harmful effects is low.
- Leaded aprons and thyroid collars are used to shield the body.
Get Dental X-Rays for Kids in Edina, MN
If you have questions about pediatric dental x-rays, please contact Kid Grins to get answers and information. Our patients come first, and we use the safest practices to keep them protected and their teeth healthy. Contact us to schedule a consultation, teeth cleaning, or if you have a dental emergency.
