If you’ve been going to your dentist in Charleston on a regular basis, you know that x-rays are frequently part of your visit. X-rays help your Charleston dentist to detect and diagnose dental health problems. They also factor in what kinds of treatment your dentist can provide. However, health-conscious people often ask, are dental X-rays safe? Here’s what you need to know about the safety of dental X-rays.
What Are Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays are radiographic images of your teeth, jawbone, and tissues. X-rays use low-level radiation to “see” beyond the surface level. Dental X-rays enable your dentist in Charleston to find issues like deteriorating jawbone, shrinking gums, impacted teeth, and more. Dental X-rays have been in use now for several decades and they are considered safe as long as they are done using safety protocols.
Risks of X-Rays
There are some risks associated with radiation, in general, that should be understood. Severe and chronic radiation exposure has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, brain tumors, and thyroid problems. In addition, in pregnant women, severe and chronic radiation exposure has been linked to birth defects.
Now, it’s important to understand that the dental X-rays you receive at the dentist’s office do not expose you to high levels of radiation or chronic levels of radiation. So essentially, there are little to no risks of radiation exposure from dental X-rays.
How Your Dentist in Charleston Protects You
When you get dental X-rays, your dentist takes several precautionary steps to protect you. First of all, your dentist never gives you X-rays unless they are needed. X-rays are not a “routine,” and they are only used to help your dentist to understand the condition of your oral health. Second, your dental team places a lead blanket over the susceptible areas of your body, including your thyroid gland and torso. Finally, dental X-rays are not done on women who are expecting which is why your dentist asks about that situation when you come in for a visit.
Your dentist in Charleston uses only high quality X-ray equipment to help to ensure your safety. If you have any questions about dental X-rays or our X-rays protocol in the future, please feel free to contact us.