Some of the most important things in your child’s mouth can’t be seen by looking: a cavity starting between two back teeth, an adult tooth that’s coming in sideways, or how the jaws are growing. Digital X-rays let our pediatric dentists in San Antonio see those things early. We take them only when they’ll change how we care for your child, and the radiation involved is very low.
Are dental X-rays safe for kids?
Dental X-rays use a very small amount of radiation, and digital sensors need even less than older film. We follow the American Dental Association (ADA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance on when to take dental X-rays, which asks dentists to decide case by case rather than on a fixed schedule. We take as few images as we can while still seeing what we need to.
An undiagnosed problem is a much bigger risk to your child than a well-chosen X-ray. A cavity found early can often be treated with a small filling, or sometimes without one. The same cavity found a year later may need a crown or more.
What X-rays show that an exam can’t
- Cavities between teeth. Where back teeth touch, decay can grow out of sight until it’s large.
- Teeth that haven’t come in yet. We can see whether adult teeth are present, crowded, or heading in the wrong direction.
- Growth and development. Images help us follow how the jaws are growing and plan for Early Orthodontic Evaluations when the timing is right.
- Injuries. After a fall or a bump, an X-ray shows damage to roots and bone that you can’t see from the outside. See Dental Trauma.
- Infection. Signs of an abscess or problems near the root of a tooth.
Kinds of dental X-rays we use
Bitewings are small images of the back teeth, taken while your child gently bites on a tab. They’re the best way to find cavities between teeth.
Periapical images show a whole tooth, from the chewing surface to the tip of the root, and are often used after an injury or when a tooth is sore.
Panoramic X-rays capture the whole mouth in one image as the machine circles your child’s head. Nothing goes in the mouth, which makes them easy for younger kids, and they show developing teeth and the jaws.
How often does my child need dental X-rays?
It depends on your child. A child with frequent cavities may need bitewings more often than a child who has never had one. Children whose back teeth don’t touch yet may not need bitewings at all. We base the timing on age, cavity risk, growth, and any symptoms, and we’ll tell you why we’re recommending images when we do.
My child has a strong gag reflex. Can they still have X-rays?
Usually, yes. Digital sensors are small, and we can try smaller sizes, different angles, or a panoramic image, which doesn’t go in the mouth at all. We go at your child’s pace.
Can my child have X-rays if we just had them at another office?
Please let us know. If recent images are available, we’re glad to request a copy so your child doesn’t need to repeat them.
How long does it take?
Just a few minutes. Each image takes a moment to capture and appears on screen right away, so we can show you what we see.
Related: Exams & Cleanings, Preventive Dentistry, Dental Trauma, Early Orthodontic Evaluations