Blog Post

How safe are dental X-rays?

  • By Website Team Technicians
  • 09 Dec, 2016

Exposure to all sources of radiation -- including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental X-rays -- can damage the body's tissues and cells and lead to the development of cancer. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of X-rays is extremely small.

Advances in dentistry over the years have lead to the low radiation levels emitted by dental X-rays. Some of the improvements are new digital X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to the small area being X-rayed, higher speed X-ray films that require shorter exposure time compared with older film speeds to get the same results, and the use of film holders that keep the film in place in the mouth(which prevents the film from slipping and the need for repeat X-rays and additional radiation exposure). Also, the use of lead-lined, full-body aprons protects the body from stray radiation (though this is almost nonexistent with the modern dental X-ray machines.) In addition, the Department of Health Services Victoria requires that X-ray machines be checked for accuracy and safety regularly.

By Tonya Davis 26 Oct, 2018
While children's teeth usually erupt without significant problems, abnormalities do occur. For example, children occasionally have geminated teeth. A geminated tooth looks like two teeth that are very close together. However, this is actually a single tooth. During its growth, the tooth bud tried to make two teeth instead of one. While these teeth look separate, they are actually joined at the bottom.
By Tonya Davis 25 Sep, 2018
While morning sickness is an unpleasant but manageable problem for some women; others find it more debilitating. Simple things that you normally take for granted, like going to the dentist, become more difficult when sickness is at its peak. Even a simple check-up makes your nausea worse; having anything in your mouth may make you actually throw up.
By Emily Steinbeigle 10 Sep, 2018
From whitening to relief from sensitive teeth, toothpastes offer a confusing array of benefits. With so much choice available, it can be difficult to know which toothpaste is right for you. Use this information to cut through the confusion and learn about the ingredients that are in your toothpaste.
By Tonya Davis 16 Aug, 2018

Whenever you experience a toothache or tooth pain, you can be almost certain that something is wrong. However, besides pain and sensitivity, a tingling sensation is also a symptom of a troubled tooth.

If one or more of your teeth have begun to tingle, it might be time for a dental check-up. Tingling usually means that a tooth has suffered trauma of some sort.

By Emily Steinbeigle 05 Jul, 2018
Parenting is tough, particularly during the first few months when you are figuring out feeding schedules and attempting to get your child to sleep through the night. During this tricky time, your child's oral health may not be top of your priority list. However, even before your baby has teeth, it is important to take steps to keep their gums healthy.
By Emily Steinbeigle 02 May, 2018
If you have issues with tooth decay due to medicines or other issues, you may consider cosmetic dentistry.

Your dentist will discuss several options with you, but one that you may not know much about is cosmetic fillings. If you are new to this option, you may be wondering what you should know about them. Though your dentist may give you some information, here are some other things you should know.
By Tyler Vogelsberg 03 Apr, 2018
As an adult, you likely think of primary teeth as somewhat less important than primary teeth. This impression comes from the transitory nature of primary teeth. Once your primary teeth fall out and your permanent teeth erupt, you likely won't even think about your primary teeth except to tell any funny stories about how you lost them.
By Tonya Davis 28 Feb, 2018
Most people don't put much thought into choosing a toothbrush. You’ve probably only used one brand and model for years, or maybe you just buy whichever brush is on promotion when you go shopping.

In most cases, there's nothing wrong with that — as long as your toothbrush is of good quality, it should help you look after your dental health just fine. Sometimes, however, it pays to spend a bit more time considering your toothbrush choice.

This is particularly the case if you have an underlying dental problem or there's a reason your mouth needs specialist care. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect brush for your needs.
By Tonya Davis 31 Jan, 2018
Everyone knows how to look after their teeth, don't they? From a young age, children are taught how important twice-daily brushing is, and the proper technique to use. You might think that even if there's room for improvement in your dental habits, you know where those improvements could be made.

Perhaps you'd be surprised to learn there are a few things people commonly do that are actually quite damaging to tooth enamel. As enamel covers the outer surfaces of teeth, your enamel is the part that begins to wear away if you're not careful, which can cause sensitivity and yellowing.

Take a look at the following bad habits, and see if you can change your brushing habits to protect your enamel.
By Tonya Davis 16 Jan, 2018
You've been to the dentist enough to know the basics — you're in and out after a quick cleaning, flossing and X-ray scan. But this time there was something different. Your dentist took a quick look at your gums, frowned and recommended that you get a surgery called a frenectomy sooner than later.

If you're like most people, you probably haven't ever heard of a frenectomy, and you're understandably a little frightened and confused by the recommendation. But frenectomies are actually minor surgeries that can go a long way towards preserving your teeth for decades to come.

Whether your dentist referred you to a gum specialist or has the know-how to perform a small frenectomy in-house, keep reading. We'll tell you what you can expect from this minor procedure.
More Posts
Share by: