What are dental X-rays and why are they important?
Dental x-rays are pictures that magnify the teeth, bones, and the tissues that surround the teeth. In addition, x-rays are important because they help the hygienist to find various problems with the teeth, mouth, and the jaw. They can also show hidden dental structures (one example is wisdom teeth), cavities, and bone loss. Dental x-rays are effective because the defects can not be seen with the naked eye. Normally dental x-rays are taken every 6 months to a year.
X-rays that show cavities:
- Cavities form when there is a buildup of sticky film on the teeth called plaque.
- Normally cavities are visible:
- Between teeth
- In cracks, grooves, or pits in the back teeth
- Near the gum line
- Around dental fillings
X-rays that show fillings:
- Fillings may be needed when the hygienist notices some discolored spots on their patient's teeth.
- Some other reasons why a tooth may need a filling is because of:
- Tooth Grinding
- Nail biting
- Using your teeth to open things
- Cracked or broken teeth
- One way to test if a tooth needs a filling is by the dentist using a device known as a explorer. It pushes down on the teeth and if the teeth are hard enough to resist its pressure then it does not need a filing. If it is soft, it needs a filling.
X-rays that show the wisdom teeth:
- Wisdom teeth are usually impacted which means that they are inside the gums.
- They can be detected by x-rays
- Some symptoms include:
- Difficulty opening your jaw
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Swelling of the gums in the back of the mouth
- Pain in the mouth
- Pain when eating