Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

It is relatively normal for a dentist to suggest dental x-rays on a regular dental checkup. X-rays allows the dentist to see deep beneath your bone, gums, and roots of your teeth. The question whether they are safe or not is a very relevant one as if you know anything about X-rays, you probably know they use radiation to achieve their results, and some people find this quite concerning. The short answer is, “Yes, dental X-rays are safe and often extremely beneficial for your oral health”. 

The amount of radiation one is exposed to is very minimal. For perspective let’s compare it with other environmental sources of radiation.

•            Dental x-rays                                                                                                           0.1mrem

•            Cosmic rays                                                                                                            45mrem/year

•            External radiation from radioactive ores, etc.                                                60mrem/year

•            Internal exposure from radioactive material ingested into the body         25mrem/year

•            Transcontinental flight                                                                                          2-4mrem

•            Drinking water                                                                                                         5mrem

•            Using natural gas for heating and cooking                                                         9mremIt becomes very clear how low the radiation is, in dental X-ray. Thus the benefit of exposing yourself to dental x-ray overweighs the risks.