Top 5 Factors That Determine How Often You Need X-Rays
Dental x-rays have been around for decades and have proven to be a helpful tool in diagnosing some of the most common oral diseases, including periodontal disease, dental caries, and other tooth decay. Your dentist in Maryville, TN, may perform x-rays to help them determine if a cavity is active or capable of growing.
X-rays are also helpful in the event there are suspect areas in your mouth that require special attention. Your dentist may also recommend a follow-up x-ray to have on hand if you have had extensive root filling or restoration work done by a previous dentist.
Below are five factors that can help determine how often you need dental x-rays or whether you even need them at all.
- Age
Children often might require additional x-rays to determine their level of tooth decay. If you have children, make sure your dentist performs a thorough dental exam. Your dentist will be able to work out whether or not additional x-rays are needed. With age, your teeth become more susceptible to problems such as periodontal disease. In these cases, your dentist may recommend that you have dental x-rays performed more often.
- Your current oral health status
After undergoing periodontal surgery, your dentist may recommend that you have x-rays taken to ensure everything is healing properly. If you notice that your teeth are still sensitive after having root canal therapy, then additional x-rays might be needed. In fact, the number of times you might need to take a dental x-ray is largely dependent on the current status of your oral health.
- History of gingivitis or gum disease
Your dentist may recommend additional x-rays if you have a history of gingivitis or periodontal disease. A lot of times, there is a correlation between gum disease and the presence of other oral diseases.
- Symptoms of any oral disease
In general, if you are experiencing symptoms, such as bad breath or localized pain, then your dentist might recommend that you take a full x-ray of your mouth. This is especially the case if you have a history of dental problems.
- You’ve had extensive dental work done
Your dentist may perform additional x-rays if you’ve recently had extensive filling or restoration work done, as they are looking to see how everything heals. If your previous dentist did not take x-rays before they performed the procedure, then your current dentist might recommend that you have some taken to ensure everything is on track.
