Should I worry about X-rays?

Radiation is everywhere around us, and if you like it or not, you can’t avoid it.

Electromagnetic radiation (such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet and x-rays) is known since early 19th century and can be very helpful in everyday activities. In medicine and in other places (f.e. airports) it is common to use X rays to see not only visible but also hidden structures.

Too much radiation exposure over longer time definitely can have impact on health.

You should not be afraid of dental x-rays anymore

However, nowadays x-ray machines are extremely fast and the radiation is microscopic. Without x-ray images even the best dentist can only guess what is happening in deeper tissues of your mouth.

About 50% of our teeth is covered by gums and bone. That means X-ray images are important in dentistry. Because nobody has x-ray vision, except for superheroes in movies 🙂

Did you know?

Radiophobia is a fear of ionizing radiation.

Dental x-rays are necessary:

• to give you most accurate treatment plan – diagnostics purposes;
• for successful treatment of cavities, dental roots canals etc;
• in dental surgery, (dental implants treatment, dental crowns treatment)
• for orthodontic treatment and other

The biological effects of radiation on the body are described by a measurement called a millisievert – mSv.

There is so little radiation with dental X ray scans that you would have to get over 5,000 scans in one year to equal the amount of radiation that you are naturally exposed to during your life.

External links: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-i-worry-about-x-rays https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation