News 09/09/2025

X-Rays and their Importance in Maintaining Your Dental Health

During routine checkups, emergency appointments and at the start of dental treatment plans, your dentist might take X-rays of your teeth. This is a very common step in the diagnostic process and isn’t something you should worry about.

X-rays are used within the dental surgery to help detect areas of decay or infections present, in areas that the dental team cannot see, such as between teeth or in tooth roots. By identifying problem areas early, it is possible to reduce the need for extensive dental restorations.

If you’ve been offered an X-ray, you might be curious to learn more about how it works, why your dentist has offered one, and any potential risks surrounding this treatment. It’s natural to be curious about these things, so we’re sharing some essential insight to help you better understand the process.

Types of X-rays

There are a variety of different X-rays available. Some will focus on just one tooth, others will provide images of your whole mouth. The type of X-ray used will depend on the problems you are experiencing and the treatment the dentist is hoping to complete.

Intraoral X-rays are taken inside the mouth and will offer a detailed view of the teeth and supporting structures. There are three main types of intraoral X-rays, including:

Bitewing – this shows the crowns of the upper and lower teeth

Periapical – this captures the whole tooth, from crown to root and the bone supporting it

Occlusal – this captures a large section of the upper and lower teeth to show the bite

Extraoral X-rays are taken outside of the mouth and provide a more detailed look at the mouth and jaw. The most common is the panoramic, which provides a single view of all the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures.

You could also be offered a cephalometric X-ray, which gives a side view of the entire head. Or you might have a cone-beam computed tomography X-ray, which creates 3D images of the teeth, soft tissues and bone.

How are X-rays used?

X-ray images are one of the most valuable tools a dentist has for keeping your mouth healthy. X-rays can be used to:

Look for areas of decay that the dentist may not be able to see just by looking, such as decay between teeth

Look for decay under a filling that might be causing you pain and discomfort

Look for cracks or other damage in a filling

Alert the dentist to possible bone loss from gum disease

Show problems in the root of a tooth, such as infection or death of the nerve

Help your dentist plan, prepare and place dental implants, braces, dentures or other dental work

Look for other problems, such as cysts, cancer or changes caused by diseases of the body

How often do you need an X-ray?

X-rays will normally be taken at your first appointment, in order to help the dental team build up a full picture of your dental health. After this, they are taken every 12 – 36 months, depending on a number of risk factors such as your age, history of tooth decay and the condition of your teeth and gums.

This is one reason that regular dental checkups are so helpful. Your dentist will be able to take regular X-rays of your teeth and jaws, which helps them to spot changes in your oral health that might not be immediately obvious.

What are the risks associated with X-rays?

With the improvements in dental X-ray technology over the years, the risk from a dental X-ray is very small. Digital X-rays have reduced radiation by as much as 80%.

This is further reduced by the fact the dental team are very careful to only take X-rays when they are clinically necessary. You might be nervous about an X-ray because the dental team takes so many precautions to protect themselves and will leave the room during the scan.

This is simple because they carry out dozens of X-rays every day, and this increases their risk of radiation exposure. However, since you are only having one X-ray, the risk is incredibly small.

You should advise the dental team if you are pregnant or if you think that you might be pregnant, as they might change your care plan. Your dentist is more likely to defer your X-rays until after the baby has been born.

Will an X-ray hurt?

No, the X-ray process is completely pain free and you won’t experience any pain. There are no known side effects, and there is no downtime required after the treatment. The only possible issue would be if you have a strong gag reflex.

During the X-ray, you will bite down on a bit and this will help to keep your head stabilised as the machine moves around your head. If you have a strong gag reflex, this can be uncomfortable. If you think this might be a problem, let our team know before we start. We can adjust the machine to make it more comfortable and help to distract you so we can take clear X-rays.

Can I refuse an X-ray?

Yes, you can refuse to have an X-ray, but please be aware that your dentist may be unable to continue treating you if they do not have all of the information they need. If you are nervous about exposure to radiation, a member of our team would be happy to discuss this with you to help put you at ease. If you refuse an X-ray, this could impact the quality of the care we are able to provide and might have a long-term impact on your wider oral health.

Final thoughts on dental X-rays

X-rays are a normal part of the process of caring for your teeth. If you have any further questions on the use of X-rays during your dental appointments do not hesitate to ask the team at your next visit. Call Benfleet Dental Centre today on 01702 557766 and book a consultation.