Are Dental X-Rays Safe and Necessary for My Family?

If you've ever wondered whether dental X-rays are truly necessary for you and your family, you're asking exactly the right question. At Tualatin Valley Dental, we understand that parents and adults in Tigard, OR want to make informed decisions about their dental health. Dr. Kerri Smith hears this concern regularly from patients, and the answer combines both reassurance and education about why diagnostic imaging remains one of the most valuable tools in modern dentistry.

Dental X-rays allow Dr. Kerri Smith to see what's happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums—problems that would otherwise remain hidden until they become painful or costly to treat. At Tualatin Valley Dental, we believe in earning your trust through transparency, which is why we're taking time to explain exactly what dental X-rays do, how safe they are, and why they're an essential part of comprehensive general dentistry care for your entire family.

The truth is, dental X-rays have come a long way in recent years, with significantly reduced radiation exposure and dramatically improved diagnostic capabilities. Let's explore why families throughout Tigard, OR continue to trust Tualatin Valley Dental for safe, effective dental imaging.

What Do Dental X-Rays Actually Reveal?

Dental X-rays serve as Dr. Kerri Smith's window into the hidden structures of your mouth. While a visual examination provides valuable information, nearly 40% of tooth structure isn't visible to the naked eye. X-rays reveal decay between teeth, infections in the bone, impacted teeth, cysts, tumors, and even developmental abnormalities in children that could affect their future oral health.

At Tualatin Valley Dental, we use diagnostic imaging to catch problems early—often years before they would have caused noticeable symptoms. For families in Tigard, OR, this early detection approach means fewer emergency visits, less extensive treatments, and significantly lower long-term costs. Dr. Kerri Smith has prevented countless root canals, extractions, and complex procedures simply by identifying issues through routine X-rays when they were still small and manageable.

For adults, X-rays are particularly important for detecting bone loss associated with gum disease, evaluating the health of existing dental work, and planning treatments like implants or orthodontics. Children benefit from X-rays that monitor tooth development and catch cavities in their earliest stages. This comprehensive approach to preventive care is what sets Tualatin Valley Dental apart as a trusted family practice.

How Safe Are Modern Dental X-Rays?

Safety is understandably a top concern for our patients at Tualatin Valley Dental, especially parents protecting their children. The reassuring news is that dental X-rays expose you to extremely low levels of radiation—far less than what you're naturally exposed to in everyday life. A set of four bitewing X-rays exposes you to roughly the same amount of radiation as a short airplane flight or a few days of natural background radiation.

Tualatin Valley Dental uses digital X-ray technology, which reduces radiation exposure by up to 80% compared to traditional film X-rays. Dr. Kerri Smith has invested in the latest imaging equipment specifically because protecting patient safety while maintaining diagnostic excellence is a core value of our practice. We also follow the ALARA principle—As Low As Reasonably Achievable—meaning we only take X-rays when clinically necessary and use protective measures like lead aprons.

The established medical consensus, supported by the American Dental Association and FDA, confirms that the benefits of diagnostic dental X-rays far outweigh the minimal risks, particularly when practices like Tualatin Valley Dental use modern equipment and appropriate safety protocols. For patients in Tigard, OR seeking evidence-based care, this combination of necessity and safety provides the confidence needed to proceed with recommended imaging.

How Often Should You Have Dental X-Rays?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to X-ray frequency, which is why Dr. Kerri Smith takes an individualized approach at Tualatin Valley Dental. Your X-ray schedule depends on your age, oral health status, risk factors for disease, and whether you're showing symptoms of dental problems. This personalized care philosophy ensures you receive exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.

Children typically need X-rays more frequently than adults because their mouths are growing and changing rapidly. Dr. Kerri Smith usually recommends X-rays every six to twelve months for pediatric patients to monitor development and catch cavities early. Adults with good oral health and no history of cavities may only need X-rays every two to three years, while those with a history of dental disease might benefit from annual imaging.

At Tualatin Valley Dental, we maintain detailed records of your dental history, which helps us determine the most appropriate imaging schedule for your unique situation. If you're new to our Tigard, OR practice, Dr. Kerri Smith will typically recommend a comprehensive set of X-rays to establish a baseline understanding of your oral health—information that becomes invaluable for comparison in future years.

Trust Your Family's Dental Health to Local Expertise

Choosing where to receive dental care is an important decision for families in Tigard, OR. At Tualatin Valley Dental, we've built our reputation on combining clinical excellence with genuine care for each patient who walks through our doors. Dr. Kerri Smith's commitment to using advanced diagnostic tools like digital X-rays reflects our broader philosophy: invest in the best technology and techniques to provide superior outcomes for our patients.

When you trust Tualatin Valley Dental with your family's dental X-rays and overall oral health, you're choosing a practice that values your time, respects your concerns, and prioritizes prevention over reaction. We explain what we're doing and why, answer your questions thoroughly, and never recommend treatments or imaging that aren't in your best interest.

Ready to experience dental care that puts your family first? Contact Tualatin Valley Dental today at 503-620-6133 to schedule your comprehensive dental examination. Dr. Kerri Smith and our entire team look forward to welcoming you to our Tigard, OR practice and showing you what trustworthy, established dental care truly means.