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The Truth About Dental X-Rays
Posted September 19, 2014 by Wager-Evans Dental
If you keep up with your dental checkups and exams every six months, you have had plenty x-rays taken of your smile. X-rays allow dentists to look inside your teeth and also take a better look at the structure of your jaw. A thoroughly kept dental history allows dental professionals to make sure that children’s mouths are developing properly, and adults mouths are being maintained. Do you ever worry that dental x-rays lead to too much radiation exposure? Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, can assure you that you have nothing to worry about.
The Real Deal about X-rays
Of the following, which activities or objects expose you to radiation?
- Living in a brick house
- Flying in an airplane
- Eating
- Cooking with natural gas
- Having an x-ray
- Reading a book for 3 hours a day
- Living on planet Earth
- Sleeping next to another person
- Smoke detectors
Believe it or not, all of the above activities and objects expose you to some level of radiation. Many people, however, believe that x-rays expose you to extremely high levels of radiation and, therefore, many patients hesitate when prompted to have an x-ray at dental appointments.
Perspective on X-rays
The truth is that a typical dental x-ray only exposes you to about 2 or 3 mrem (the unit of measurement in which radiation is measured). The typical U.S. citizen is exposed to upwards of 360 rmem annually. Not convinced yet that dental x-rays are safe and worthwhile? Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans want to change your mind. We use dental x-rays as a tool to provide our patients with the highest quality, most comprehensive care possible. Because x-rays literally give us an inside look at your teeth and gums, they are crucial when it comes to diagnosing serious oral and dental conditions early, which is often necessary for effective and conservative treatment.
Visit your Reno Dentists
We pledge to take every precaution and make you comfortable during your x-rays, but we want to remind you that a dental x-ray won’t harm you. In fact, it’s just one more way to ensure that your mouth- and body- remain healthy for years to come. To reserve a dental exam and cleaning, call Wager Evans Dental, located in Reno, Nevada, at (775) 800-4845.
