Dental X-rays: how safe are radiographies for children?
Dental X-rays are tests that use ionizing radiation and, when passing through the tissues of the human body, are absorbed by said tissues and leave an image on the X-ray film. This is why some parents are concerned about its use when they go to the pediatric dental office with their children.
Today, there is no room for doubts about the safety of dental radiographs, since modern digital radiology generates low radiation exposure compared to conventional radiology.
Is dental X-ray harmful for kids?
No, this technology is safe for children. In addition, the pediatric dentistry office has monthly reading sensors and it is regularly checked that the radiation levels are very low. Similarly, x-ray techniques and tools are designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation.
Por ello, se adoptan todas las precauciones para garantizar que la exposición a las radiaciones es lo más baja posible (según el principio ALARA).
Generalmente, se emplea un delantal o un protector para la tiroides con recubrimiento de plomo para proteger el abdomen y la tiroides. Por todo ello, podemos afirmar que las radiografías dentales son seguras.
Is it necessary for kids to get dental X-rays?
On the other hand, it is clear that when dental radiographies are necessary for a correct diagnosis, they cannot be ignored. In dentistry and medicine in general, the objective is to reach an adequate diagnosis and, thanks to this, establish the most convenient treatment plan for the child or teenager.
Therefore, dental x-rays are a very useful tool that help the pediatric dentist to detect lesions or diseases that are not clinically visible, both on a first visit and during a routine dental examination.
Por otro lado, es evidente que cuando las radiografías son necesarias para un correcto diagnóstico, no pueden obviarse. En odontología y en medicina en general, el objetivo es llegar a un diagnóstico adecuado y gracias a ello establecer el plan de tratamiento indicado.
Por lo tanto, las radiografías dentales son una herramienta muy útil que ayuda al odontopediatra a detectar lesiones o enfermedades no visibles clínicamente, tanto en una primera visita como durante el examen dental de rutina.
How often should kids get dental X-ray?
With no doubt, the frequency with which dental X-rays should be taken depends on the risk of the patient and the pathology that we need to control at the oral cavity level.
Por ejemplo, en niños con alto riesgo de desarrollar lesiones de caries, los protocolos de la Academia Americana de Odontopediatría recomiendan tomar radiografías con mayor frecuencia que en pacientes de bajo riesgo. Por último, será el odontopediatra o dentista infantil quien revise la historia clínica del niño, examine su boca y decida si es necesaria la toma de radiografías o no y de qué tipo.
Referencias:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/es-MX/az-topics/x/x-rays
