Basically, while dental X-rays expose you to some radiation, the benefits of having them performed outweigh the risks. Many dental problems are invisible to the naked eye, and X-rays let your dentist discover a range of problems in tooth enamel, gums, and tooth roots.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM RADIATION? The risk from a single dental x-ray image is very small. However, some studies do show a slight increase in cancer risk, even at low levels of radiation exposure, particularly in children. To be safe, we do everything we can to keep the radiation exposure as low as possible.
How X-Rays Work
During your dental X-ray, a small amount of electromagnetic radiation is used to create an X-ray image of your teeth, roots, gums, jaw, and facial bones What They Detect
Dental X-rays can detect various abnormalities in your oral health, including early detection of dental issues that weren't found on a visual oral exam. This is useful Types
Dentists use different types of dental X-rays to examine different aspects of your oral health Risks
Radiation
Like other forms of X-rays, dental radiographs carry risk associated with radiation. However Summary
Dentists use different types of dental radiographs (X-rays) to identify oral damage or disease that they cannot view during a clinical examination A Word from Verywell
Dental X-rays are an important part of keeping healthy. They are fast and painless, but if you do experience discomfort While dental X-rays do involve radiation, the exposed levels are so low that they’re considered safe for children and adults. If your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of developing them on film, your risks from radiation exposure are even lower.
Annual dental x-rays are not dangerous. If a patient has a medical condition that requires frequent x-rays, they should notify their dentist. The Food and Drug Administration publishes safety guidelines for x-ray operation.
Basically, while dental x-rays expose you to certain radiation, the benefits of doing them outweigh the risks. The risk of a single dental x-ray is very small. However, some studies show a
slight increase in the risk of cancer, even with low levels of radiation exposure, especially in children.