Why Does My Dentist Take X-Rays?

If you’ve ever had a cavity, you know that dentists use X-rays to see inside your mouth. But do you know why? This guide to X-rays will help you understand why they’re so important and how they can help identify potential problems.

X-rays are just one tool dentists have to help diagnose problems in your mouth.

X-rays are just one tool dentists have to help diagnose problems in your mouth. X-rays can detect cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. They can also be used to check for wisdom teeth that have not yet erupted and jaw alignment issues such as an overbite or underbite.

But there are limitations to X-rays. While they’re very helpful in diagnosing many dental conditions, they don’t tell the whole story regarding oral health concerns. For example:

Your dentist might recommend X-rays if they think you might have possible decay.

If you have a cavity, your dentist might recommend X-rays to see how far the decay has progressed. For example, if you have a small amount of tooth decay, the dentist may recommend taking X-rays every six months to ensure that it doesn’t get worse. If you have extensive decay, sometimes your dentist will take multiple X-rays at once. This can help them see if there’s any further damage and whether or not they need to fill those areas with dental filling material or crowns.

If you’re having trouble keeping track of where in the mouth each tooth is located (and what side), don’t worry! The pictures below show where on each side of your mouth most commonly affected by cavities occur:

Your dentist may also recommend imaging if they notice inflammation that could signal infection.

Your dentist may also recommend imaging if they notice inflammation that could signal infection. Inflammation can signify several issues, some of which are more serious than others. If you have any kind of swelling in your mouth from an injury or infection, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible.

There are many reasons why your dentist might recommend taking X-rays before treatment begins:

X-rays can also offer insight into whether teeth are coming in properly or if wisdom teeth are present.

In addition to providing a picture of the tooth, an X-ray can help your dentist identify whether a tooth is impacted.

A tooth that’s “impacted” means it’s unable to erupt due to being blocked by other teeth or tissue. If a baby tooth is blocked this way, it could mean trouble later on when permanent teeth eventually replace them. This can cause pain and/or additional dental procedures down the road if left untreated.

Dental X-rays aren’t just for kids. Adults and older adults should get them, too, even if they’re free from obvious gum disease or tooth decay.

• Adults and older adults should get X-rays.
• Dental X-rays aren’t just for kids. Adults and older adults should get them, too, even if they’re free from obvious gum disease or tooth decay.
• This is because the dentist can use these pictures to look for problems that are not obvious on the surface of your teeth and jawbone, including cavities developing below the gum line or a fractured tooth (cracked). These problems may not be apparent until later.
• Dental X-rays also allow your dentist to monitor any changes in your oral health over time. This allows your dentist to detect any health complications as early as possible before they become severe and require more extensive treatment down the road. Preventative care, with proactive maintenance, can help prevent the need for a root canal or surgery.