Dental X-rays - how often?

Smythe

How often do you think an adult should get a routine x-ray?

I know adults should go for a dental check-up once every 0.5 to 2.0 years, depending on who you listen to.

Though how often should one take a dental x-ray? Or should you not really take a dental x-ray on a regular basis (regular as a check-up) unless there's some particular reason to have one?

Thanks!

Annjan

I go approx every 2 years. I have an X-ray each time. My teeth would not be the strongest so I am trying to mind them. The hygienist recommends flossing between your teeth or using the inter dental brushes at least once a day. She says this is the most important part of dental hygiene.

Smythe

Annjan wrote: »

I go approx every 2 years. I have an X-ray each time.

Taking into account that I, as most people, want to minimise my exposure to x-ray, what do you guys think is the benefit of having a dental x-ray every couple of years?

Annjan wrote: »

The hygienist recommends flossing between your teeth or using the inter dental brushes at least once a day. She says this is the most important part of dental hygiene.

Yes I floss every day.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

A set of bitewing X-rays has about .06 msv of radiation. You receive about 3-6 msv of cosmic background radiation per year from the atmosphere, so the radiation does is very very small.

The regularity of X-rays will depend on your decay and gum disease levels. Somebody with a lot of cavities need more regular review and somebody without any decay a lot less.

It is very important to have regular checkups and X-rays make up an important part of this for a complete view, many teeth look fine to inspect with your eyes but have hidden problems.