Do I Really Need Yearly X-rays at the Dentist?

X-rays are expensive, so they’re the first thing that seems to go when people want to save on their yearly dental visit. Often, patients don’t see the value in x-rays, like they do in other examinations, or they feel uncomfortable with the x-rays themselves

Though it may seem like a great way to save money, putting off dental care can cost you more in the long run. So, skipping out on treatments or examinations to reduce costs is rarely a good idea. X-rays are a powerful tool in your dentist’s arsenals, os if you’re thinking of skipping them, talk with your dentist first to get their thoughts.

Depending on your age and the dental issues you’ve had in the past, your dentist may recommend yearly x-rays. However, for a healthy adult with no significant issues, your dentist should let you know that you can skip a year and opt for bi-yearly x-rays.

A safe way to judge the health of your teeth

A lot of patients have expressed concern about the radiation from x-rays affecting their health. This can cause patients to forgo x-rays, even when it would be helpful to ensure proper oral care.

This fear is often rooted in misunderstandings about what radiation is, and how it affects your body. Often, when people hear the word radiation, they think Chernobyl, nuclear fusion, or Spiderman. But the truth is, radiation is much more mundane than that.

In fact, both the sun and elements of the earth are constantly putting out radiation, so, our body is constantly being exposed to some form of radiation. That’s normal and healthy. Depending on where you live, the average person receives somewhere between 3,000 to 4,000 micro-Sieverts of radiation every year. 

At Peak Dental, we use modern equipment that helps speed up the process of taking an x-ray. That means the amount of radiation you experience is really quite a small part of the amount you experience every year.

During one x-ray at the Peak Dental office, you experience around 8-9 micro-Sieverts of radiation (though at offices which use older, slower film that number could double).

So, rest assured we are doing everything we can to make sure your x-rays have as little impact on your person as possible.

Why do you get x-rays?

A lot of your teeth are completely hidden from view. From the roots to the faces that make contact with each neighbour, to the ones at the back that are hard to see at the best of times, your teeth have a lot to hide.

If there is a problem in a part of a tooth that your dentist can not see, waiting until the problem spreads and affects your mouth in more visible ways will not only end up costing you more in the long run, it could mean the repair is more invasive or less successful at saving your teeth.

By contrast, regular x-rays allow your dentist to achieve holistic care over your mouth. So, if there is a problem under your gums, or on a tooth face that isn’t visible, they will be able to pinpoint and treat it fast.

How often should you get x-rays?

Every patient is different, which means the optimal frequency of x-rays for you may be different than for someone else.

For those who take care of their teeth, and haven’t had problems in the past, they can go a couple years between x-rays. However, for those who do choose to forgo x-rays, don’t forget them entirely. That could result in unseen problems making a mess of your mouth.

Here’s a checklist for those who want to skip that x-ray this year:

If you answered yes to the first three and no to the last two, you can probably put off x-rays if you had them last year.

If in doubt, talk to your dentist

The good news is you don’t have to make this decision alone. If you have any misgivings either way, take the time to talk to your dentist, either during a visit or by making a simple phone call. We can walk you through the process of deciding whether you need x-rays so that you can be sure you’re doing what’s right for you.

Jordana Gagnon