Watching your child settle into the dental chair can bring up questions, especially when their dentist mentions X-rays. You might wonder if your little one really needs them, or you might be worried about your child’s safety. These concerns are completely normal for parents.
Dental X-rays are a safe and important tool that help pediatric dentists see problems in your child’s mouth that can’t be spotted during a regular visual exam. At London Little Bites Dentistry, X-rays to catch issues early, before your child experiences pain or small problems become more complex.
What Are Dental X-Rays & Why Your Child Needs Them
Your dentist can see your child’s teeth from the outside, but X-rays reveal what’s happening underneath the gums and between the teeth, where cavities often hide.
X-ray images commonly show cavities between back teeth, problems with developing permanent teeth, infections around tooth roots, and issues with jaw growth. You can’t see any of these problems just by looking in your child’s mouth. Dental exams rely heavily on X-rays to provide comprehensive care.
When Your Child Gets Their First X-Ray
Ideally, we like to start dental X-rays around age 3, when all your child’s baby teeth are in. However, this varies from child to child. If there’s nothing obviously wrong and your child has trouble tolerating the X-ray sensors (especially if they have a strong gag reflex), we can wait until the next visit. Some kids need X-rays earlier if they have crowded teeth or a history of cavities.
Pediatric dentists considers several factors before recommending X-rays:
- Tooth development stage
- Risk factors for decay
- Spacing between teeth
- Previous dental issues
Children with tight contact between their teeth often need X-rays sooner, because cavities can form in those hard-to-see spaces. Kids who eat lots of sugary snacks, have had cavities before, or don’t brush well also need earlier X-rays to catch problems early.
Types of X-Rays Used for Children
Bitewing X-Rays
These X-rays show the tops of your child’s upper and lower back teeth in one image. They’re particularly good at finding cavities between teeth and checking the health of existing fillings.
Panoramic X-Rays
A panoramic X-ray captures your child’s entire mouth in one sweep, showing all teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. It’s like getting a bird’s eye view of everything that’s happening in their mouth.
Pediatric dentists often recommend panoramic X-rays when they need to check how permanent teeth are developing, evaluate jaw growth, or look for missing or extra teeth. If your child can’t tolerate the smaller, more specific X-rays, we may take a panoramic X-ray to get an overall general view.
While it’s not as diagnostically detailed, getting some information is often better than nothing. We make these decisions on a case-by-case basis depending on your child’s needs and comfort level.
Periapical X-Rays
These X-rays focused images show one or two specific teeth from crown to root tip. They provide detailed information about a particular tooth and the bone around it.
Your child might need this type of X-ray if they have a toothache, facial swelling, or if their dentist suspects a problem with a specific tooth that needs closer examination.
Safety & Radiation Concerns for Parents
Modern dental X-ray machines use very small amounts of radiation, much less than older equipment. The amount your child receives during a dental X-ray is similar to what they’d get from natural background radiation in just a few days.
To put this in perspective, your child gets more radiation exposure during a cross-country airplane flight than from a set of dental X-rays. The benefits of catching dental problems early far outweigh these minimal risks. Medical and dental X-ray safety rules are government mandated guidelines on radiation exposure.
Pediatric dental offices use several safety measures to protect your child:
- Lead aprons
- Digital X-ray technology
- Proper positioning and expert technique by qualified, regulated staff
- Quick exposure times
How to Prepare Your Child for X-Rays
Explain to your child that X-rays are like taking a special picture of their teeth to help them stay healthy and grow properly. Keep your explanation simple and positive.
During the process, your child bites down on a small piece of plastic while a camera takes the picture. The whole thing takes just a few seconds per image.
You can help nervous children feel more comfortable with these strategies:
- Practice holding still at home
- Explain the process like taking a picture
- Bring comfort items
- Stay calm yourself
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dental offices use child-sized equipment and techniques designed specifically for young patients. Staff knows how to explain procedures in ways that make sense to kids and help them feel comfortable.
If you’re ready to find a pediatric dentist who can provide gentle, thorough care for your child, our team at London Little Bites Dentistry is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your child’s appointment and keep their smile healthy as they grow.