Dentist: Find Out When to Expect an X-Ray

One of the most memorable aspects of many dental appointments is the x-ray, as getting pictures of your teeth can be quite interesting and educational. Before you schedule a dentist appointment, you should learn the most important times to get a clear picture of the inside of your mouth. This way, you know when to be prepared for one before you even get to your practitioner's office. 

If you have a history of dental issues in the past, you may find that you need an x-ray from your dentist about every six months. This is especially true if you have had gum disease or other problems requiring lots of work recently. However, the average patient can expect to need one every few years, usually when the dentist suspects that there might be a problem. 

An x-ray is good at detecting possible issues since it allows practitioners to see the inside of the mouth in detail. One of the most important things that it can reveal is tooth decay that cannot be seen during a cleaning. Sometimes bacteria grows between the teeth, which most dentists cannot see on their own. It can also grow under fillings, which is also not obvious at first. If you have other signs of decay, such as an odd smell or pain that cannot be explained any other way, your dentist will likely use an x-ray if the issue cannot be detected any other way. 

X-rays are also used to find out if you have problems relating to the bone under the gums, as this is not usually visible to the eye. Bone loss can be caused by gum disease, and root canals can also change the bone due to infection. All of these problems should be detected by a dentist in order to keep your mouth in the best shape possible. 

Before you get dental implants, dentures, or braces, you can expect to have an x-ray in most cases. This will make sure that your teeth and the bones under the gums are healthy in general. It can also detect abscesses, cysts, and tumors, which means that this procedure can help catch any issues before they become larger. 

Your practitioner will likely tell you if he or she thinks you should have any x-rays. Unless you have experienced dental issues recently, you will probably only have one every few years. You should also find out how many your insurance covers so that you do not have to pay out of pocket for one, though any medically necessary procedures are typically paid for.