You already know about the importance of oral hygiene and keeping on top of your oral health. You also know that visits your family dentist in Caledon regularly is an important part of achieving and maintaining good oral health. If you’re seeing your dentist every 6-9 months as recommended, chances are you have spoken with them or their team about dental x-rays, and why they’re such an important part of your oral health plan.

Why do I need dental x-rays?

Dental x-rays help dentists see diseases and problems with teeth that cannot be recognized in a regular oral exam. They are an important tool used by dental professionals to help diagnose problems early on, before they develop into severe injuries or illnesses that require invasive treatment.

If you are experiencing dental pain, your dentist and hygienist will take x-rays to see what’s happening under the gumline and rule out any bone loss, cavities, cracks, fractures, abscesses, or other potential causes of discomfort. If you are not experiencing pain or discomfort and are not seen to be at risk of advanced decay, your oral healthcare team will still recommend having x-rays taken every 12-24 months to make sure that your tooth and bone structure are healthy. X-rays are also often taken as part of the planning process for restorative dental work, dental implants, or other cosmetic dentistry treatments.

What can I expect from a dental x-ray?

Dental x-rays are performed as part of your check-ups at your dental office in Caledon. There are multiple types of x-rays that your family dentist may perform. These include:

• Periapical x-rays, which offer a view of the whole tooth from the crown to the roots that keep it attached to the jawbone
• Bitewing x-rays, which show the upper and lower posterior teeth, and give a view of how the teeth touch one another
• Panoramic x-rays, which provide images of the teeth, jaws, nasal passages, sinuses, and the joints of the jaw, usually used in preparation for orthodontic work
• Occlusal x-rays, which provide images showing the floor of the mouth, often used to find extra teeth that are still hiding beneath the gumline

If it’s been a while since your last set of dental x-rays, call our team to set up an appointment. We’ll review your dental history and work with you to determine whether it’s time for you to have dental x-rays done.