dental X-rays

Some of the most common questions we get at Menlo Park Dental Excellence have to do with dental x-rays: Are they safe? Why do I or my kids need them? And how often should I get them? These are great questions and we love how much you prioritize your health. The answers can get complex quickly, so we’ll do our best to cover the basics here.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Let’s start with the most important question—safety. Both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) test dental x-rays to make sure they’re safe for patients of all ages. These governing bodies revise their guidelines when any advances in science and technology provide new methods to reduce exposure. Thanks to faster film speeds, digital X-rays, and protective aprons and thyroid collars, the X-ray of today is far superior to those of even just a decade ago. This applies to children, too. Today’s X-rays are so safe, in fact, that the amount of radiation a child is exposed to in an X-ray of the back molars is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation they are exposed to in the environment on a daily basis.

Why Do You Need Dental X-Rays?

Dr. ChauLong Nguyen

X-rays, also called radiographs, help your dentist spot conditions like decay, cavities, tooth position, infection and abscesses, bone cancer, salivary stones that they can’t see through a visual examination. X-rays are especially important for children because they are generally more susceptible to tooth decay than adults. The benefits of X-rays, which include diagnosing decay, pathology, or any abnormalities, far outweigh the risks of exposure to this minimal dose of radiation.

Table of Radiation Doses

Dental Radiation in Context


Radiation Exposure in Dentistry


How Often Should I Get Them?

Your X-ray schedule depends on a number of factors, including your medical and dental history. Generally, patients without a history of cavities, dental disease, or gum diseases are recommended to undergo one set of X-rays every two years.
Adults and children with frequent cavities need to have X-rays in 6 months or a year in specific area for monitor progress of decay process. People with root canal therapy, crowns, and implants need to have annual X-rays to make sure recurrent disease are detected and treated early.

The best way to reduce the number of X-rays you need is to follow good oral hygiene like flossing and brushing right after you have a meal or sugary drinks at home and at school or work.

dental X-rays

4 Bitewings example

dental X-rays

Panoramic example

Wondering When You’re Due for X-Rays? Give us a call at 650-838-0260 or schedule an appointment so that we can check up on that!

Reference: American Dental Association: X-Rays (for the Radiation Doses Table)