Why You Have to Get Your Teeth Checked Regularly and Professionally
Everybody knows it is essential to have regular dental checkups in order to keep your gums and teeth healthy. However, people are quite confused about getting dental X-rays. Once upon a time, these procedures were only offered when absolutely necessary, because people were afraid that the radiography device’s radiation would be harmful to them. Dental technology has made great advances since then, however, and most x-rays are now taken digitally. This means that people can have regular x-rays without being exposed to any type of radiation.
When Should You Have a Dental X-Ray?
During normal teeth development, they move about, build up plaque and more. If you have regular examinations and cleanings, make sure that your dentist can also take dental x-rays so that an accurate record is always available. The tool can be used preventatively as well, as it enables a dentist to spot problems before they actually occur.
During a digital x-ray, areas of decay can easily be spotted, even when they are inside the teeth. Doing this means that it can be fixed or removed before it really causes a problem.
X-rays are also important for people who need to be fitted with braces or otherwise have their teeth realigned through alternative straightening solutions. This is because some teeth can be removed if they are in the way, and a clearer picture is formed on where attention needs to be paid.
Indeed, even children should have dental x-rays, as this will show how their teeth develop over the years. Additionally, it will show any problems as they develop, enabling dentists to address them.
What about Insurance?
Dental treatment is, unfortunately, expensive. However, if you have a dental insurance plan, x-rays are usually covered. This is because it is both a diagnostic and a preventative tool. In almost all cases, insurance plans include a 100% coverage for dental x-rays, which means you don’t have any out of pocket expensive.
It is a known fact that insurance companies are doing everything they possibly can to reduce the amount of money that they pay out to people. Yet virtually all of them continue to pay for x-rays. It is important that you take advantage of this, because it can save you a whole lot of money in the long run. After all, an x-ray can generally pick up a problem long before it becomes a real issue that does cost a whole lot to be treated properly. Make sure, therefore, that you include the x-ray as part of your regular, routine checkups.
Advantages of Digital Dental X-Rays
By far the biggest advantage of all is that patients are no longer exposed to radioactive material. Exposure is reduced by as much as 75% which is very significant. Additionally, no chemicals have to be used in order to actually set the image, which means these x-rays are also environmentally friendly. Digital images can also easily be enhanced, which means it is unlikely that pictures will fail and have to be retaken.