How often should you get an x-ray for your teeth?

Getting an x-ray for your teeth can help identify any potential problems that may be developing, but how often should you get this procedure done? For most adults, annual x-rays are fine. People may need more frequent screenings if they’re at high risk for tooth decay. You can consult an Arlington emergency dentist to get the best and soonest cure to cure dental emergencies.

How often do you need an x-ray for your teeth?

1. If you have silver amalgam fillings, you might need to get them x-rayed more often. While it’s true that silver amalgam fillings are the best type for this particular dental need, they do not last forever. If they wear down on the chewing surfaces at all, you’ll need to get them replaced with something more substantial.

2. Crowns also require more frequent x-rays. If you have had a tooth damaged beyond repair, or if you have lost a tooth entirely, your dentist will probably recommend that you have a crown put on the tooth. This procedure cannot be reversed once done, so your dentist must do everything correctly the first time around.

3. Dentures also require frequent x-rays. This is especially true if you have lost your entire mouthful of teeth, but it’s also true if you have dentures put in out of necessity because one or more of your teeth are damaged. Dentures are great tools for helping to maintain your oral health, but they can also be complicated to get fitted correctly.

4. If you are at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth loss, then get more frequent x-rays for your teeth. Some people have a genetic predisposition to these conditions. If you ever had a family history of serious dental problems or diabetes or other conditions that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, then discuss with your dentist the best timeline for getting x-rays for teeth.

5.  If you are at risk for bone loss around the teeth, get x-rays for your teeth more often. This often happens in elderly patients who develop age-related osteoporosis, but it may also occur in younger people taking medications that can cause bone loss.

6. If you have gum disease, you will need to get more frequent x-rays for your teeth. In case gum diseases are left untreated, they can lead to tooth loss. Suppose you are experiencing any severe dental pain or discomfort that is not relieved with medication or by flossing or brushing your teeth more frequently.

These are just some of the health concerns that being screened with regular appointments allows dentists to take care of in the beginning stages before anything serious happens.