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The Importance of Regular Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays are an essential part of routine dental checkups. They provide your dentist with critical information about your oral health that can't be detected through a regular examination.
At Sokoly Dental in Washington, DC, Dr. Thomas D. Sokoly wants you to understand the importance of getting dental X-rays regularly. Here he explains how he uses this diagnostic tool to help manage dental concerns before they become significant problems.
Understanding dental X-rays
Dental X-rays are images of your mouth taken by one of our dental professionals that allow Dr. Sokoly to see your jawbone, inside your teeth, and under your gums.
The X-rays help detect problems that may not be visible to the naked eye, providing a more comprehensive picture of your oral health. Dr. Sokoly can identify and diagnose dental problems early before they become more severe and more challenging and costly to treat.
What dental X-rays can tell your dentist
Dental X-rays can reveal a lot about your oral health. This includes:
Cavities
X-rays help detect cavities that may not be visible during a regular examination. This is important because early detection can prevent the need for more extensive treatments down the road.
Gum disease
X-rays expose the extent of gum disease and help Dr. Sokoly determine the appropriate treatment.
Impacted teeth
X-rays reveal whether your teeth are growing correctly or if they're impacted. Impacted teeth can lead to infections and other oral health problems.
Oral cancer
X-rays can show abnormal growths or lesions that may indicate oral cancer.
How often should you have dental X-rays?
The frequency of your dental X-rays depends on several factors, including:
- Age
- Risk factors for oral disease
- Your previous dental history
Children whose teeth are still developing may need X-rays more often to monitor the growth and development of their teeth.
General guidelines from The American Dental Association recommend that adults have a full-mouth series of X-rays every 3-5 years and bitewing X-rays every 1-2 years.
Children should have a full-mouth series of X-rays every 1-2 years and bitewing X-rays every 6-12 months.
If you're overdue for a bi-annual dental exam and cleaning, don't put it off any longer. Contact us at Sokoly Dental today.
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