Your Dental X-Rays Explained: What We See That You Can’t

When you visit us for a dental check-up, you might be asked to have X-rays taken. While you can see your teeth in a mirror, dental X-rays allow us to look deeper — beyond what is visible to the naked eye. These images give us valuable insights into your oral health and help us detect issues early, before they cause pain or serious damage.

Here’s what dental X-rays reveal, and why they are such an important part of maintaining a healthy smile.

Why Are Dental X-Rays Needed?

Dental X-rays allow us to examine areas of your teeth, gums, and jawbone that are not visible during a visual exam. Some problems, such as small cavities between teeth, early signs of bone loss, or infections beneath the gumline, can go unnoticed without imaging.

By identifying problems early, we can offer simpler, less invasive treatments — often saving you time, discomfort, and money in the long run.

What Can Dental X-Rays Detect?

Dental X-rays can reveal a wide range of issues, including:

• Tooth decay: Cavities can develop between teeth or under existing fillings, where they are hard to see.
• Bone loss: Periodontal disease can cause the bone supporting your teeth to deteriorate.
• Infections: An abscess (a pocket of infection) in the bone may not cause symptoms immediately but can be seen on an X-ray.
• Impacted teeth: Teeth that are stuck beneath the gumline, such as wisdom teeth, can be monitored with X-rays.
• Developmental issues: In children, X-rays help track how adult teeth are developing and whether there might be issues with spacing or eruption.
• Restoration problems: Cracks, faulty fillings, and crowns can also be assessed with the help of imaging.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Understandably, many patients are concerned about radiation exposure. Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation — modern digital X-rays, in particular, minimise exposure significantly.

We always take every precaution to ensure your safety, including using protective aprons and only taking X-rays when they are clinically necessary. For most healthy adults, dental X-rays are recommended once every 1–2 years, although this can vary depending on your individual oral health needs.

Different Types of Dental X-Rays

There are several types of dental X-rays, each serving a different purpose:

• Bitewing X-rays: These show the upper and lower teeth in one area and are often used to check for cavities between teeth.
• Periapical X-rays: These focus on one or two teeth at a time, capturing the entire tooth from crown to root.
• Panoramic X-rays: These provide a broad view of the entire mouth, including the jawbone, and are useful for assessing wisdom teeth, jaw problems, and overall development.
• Occlusal X-rays: These show the floor or roof of the mouth and are often used in children to assess tooth development.

Each type of X-ray gives us a different view, helping to build a complete picture of your oral health.

Why You Might Not Always Need X-Rays

Not every dental visit requires new X-rays. If you have healthy teeth and gums, and no symptoms of problems, we may only need to update your images every few years. However, if you are experiencing pain, have a history of dental issues, or are undergoing treatment, X-rays may be needed more frequently to guide care.

Rest assured, we always balance the need for information with a cautious approach to imaging.

Helping Us Protect Your Smile

Dental X-rays are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect your oral health. They allow us to detect problems early, plan treatments accurately, and monitor changes over time. By working together, we can keep your smile healthy, strong, and beautiful for years to come

If you have questions about dental X-rays or would like to book your next dental appointment, we invite you to come visit us. Our friendly team is here to make your experience comfortable, informative, and focused on your best health.