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Dental X-rays are one of those things parents often have questions about, and understandably so. If yourchild's dentist recommends X-rays at a visit, it is completely reasonable to want to understand what theyare, why they are being taken, and whether the radiation exposure is something to worry about. The shortanswer is that dental X-rays are safe, the radiation involved is extremely small, and the information theyprovide helps prevent much bigger problems. Here is a fuller explanation so you can feel confident goinginto your child's next appointment.
The radiation from dental X-rays is very low, especially with modern digital X-ray equipment, which mostdental offices now use. Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional film-based X-rays. Toput it in perspective, a set of four bitewing X-rays delivers a radiation dose roughly equivalent to what youare exposed to during a short airplane flight or simply spending a day outdoors in the sun. It is a fraction ofwhat we encounter in everyday life from background radiation in the environment.
At Kanopi Kids we use digital X-ray equipment and lead aprons for every patient. The lead apron covers thebody and reduces any incidental exposure even further, though the amount reaching areas outside themouth is already negligible.
The frequency depends on the child's age, their individual cavity risk, and what the dental team can observeduring a clinical exam. There is no single schedule that applies to every child.
A dental exam without X-rays only shows the dentist what is visible on the surface of the teeth and gums. Asignificant amount of tooth decay starts between teeth or underneath existing fillings, where it is completelyinvisible to the naked eye and even to the most experienced clinician. By the time decay in those areas isvisible without X-rays, it has typically already grown large enough to require a more involved treatment.
X-rays also allow the dental team to monitor how permanent teeth are developing beneath the gums,identify any teeth that may be missing or growing in an unusual position, and catch bone-related issuesearly. For children, catching these things early matters a lot because it affects how teeth grow in, how muchspace there is for permanent teeth, and whether orthodontic treatment will be straightforward or morecomplex down the road.
You can read more about what we look for at a routine checkup on our pediatric dentistry.
Parents have the right to decline any recommended treatment, including X-rays. However, it is worth havinga conversation with your child's dental team about why the X-rays are being recommended and what thetrade-off is. Declining X-rays does not make a visit unsafe, but it does mean the dentist is working with lessinformation. A cavity that is caught on an X-ray at a small stage can often be treated with a simple filling oreven monitored closely to see if it remineralizes on its own. The same cavity found much later becauseX-rays were not taken may require a more invasive treatment by that point.
If you have concerns about radiation or your child's specific situation, our team at Kanopi Kids is happy towalk you through what we are looking for and why we are recommending imaging at that visit. We servefamilies across Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, and Discovery Bay, and we never rushpast a parent's question.
Most children start having X-rays taken around age 3 to 4, once they have back teeth that contact eachother. Before that, a visual exam is typically enough. The exact timing depends on how the teeth are spacedand whether the dentist has any clinical concerns that X-rays would help clarify.
Yes, and at Kanopi Kids we use a lead apron for every patient at every X-ray. It covers the chest andabdomen and further reduces any incidental radiation. The amount of radiation that would reach thoseareas without the apron is already very small, but using the apron is standard practice and we follow itconsistently.
If you have recent X-rays from your previous dentist, bring them or ask that office to send them over. Inmost cases we can use recent images rather than retaking them. If the X-rays are older than 6 months or ifwe see clinical signs that warrant a current set, we will let you know and explain why.
This question usually comes up when a parent is accompanying their child and is pregnant themselves.Dental X-rays are targeted at the child's mouth and the radiation involved is very low. That said, if you arepregnant and have concerns about being in the room, you are always welcome to step out and anotherteam member will stay with your child. This is a judgment call that is entirely yours to make.
Yes. Dental X-rays are a covered benefit under Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal as part of your child's routinecheckup visits. At Kanopi Kids in Antioch, children covered by Medi-Cal typically have X-rays taken every 6months as part of their included visit benefits, at no out-of-pocket cost to the family.
Serving Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Discovery Bay, Bay Point, and surrounding Contra CostaCounty. We accept Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and most major insurance plans.
kanopikids.com | 3110 Buchanan Rd, Suite B, Antioch, CA | (925) 281-4893
(925) 281-4893(925) 281-4893(925) 281-4893(925) 281-4893(925) 281-4893(925) 281-4893
