Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
September 01, 2026
Dental X-rays help me see parts of your mouth that I can’t check fully just by looking. They can show cavities between teeth, bone changes, infections near roots, impacted teeth, and other issues that might not cause symptoms early on. It’s normal to worry about X-rays because they use ionizing radiation. However, modern dental X-rays use low amounts of radiation, and we only take them when the benefits outweigh the risks. At Simply Teeth, I recommend X-rays based on your individual needs, not as a routine for every visit.
The safest approach to dental imaging is not to avoid all X-rays, because that can make important conditions harder to diagnose. It is also not appropriate to take unnecessary images simply because a certain amount of time has passed. The American Dental Association’s current recommendations emphasize that dental imaging should be clinically justified and that radiation exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The FDA likewise recommends that dental X-rays be selected according to the patient’s individual condition and diagnostic needs. As an experienced dentist, I consider your dental history, current examination, symptoms, cavity risk, age, previous images, and treatment needs before deciding whether a new X-ray is appropriate.
Why Dentists Need X-Rays
A dental exam tells me a lot, but I can’t see through teeth, bone, or dental work just by looking. X-rays give extra information that can affect your diagnosis or treatment plan.
For example, bitewing X-rays help spot decay between teeth and show bone levels. Periapical X-rays show the whole tooth, including the root and nearby bone. I may suggest other types of images if I need to check developing or impacted teeth, infections, or more complicated dental issues.
The FDA recognizes that dental radiographs can help dentists evaluate and diagnose oral diseases and conditions that may otherwise be difficult to identify. That diagnostic benefit is the reason X-rays are used when clinically appropriate.
How Much Radiation Comes From Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays do use ionizing radiation, but the amount is usually low. The exact dose depends on the type of X-ray, the equipment, how it’s done, and how many images are taken.
The ADA notes that modern dental radiography exposes patients to low levels of radiation and emphasizes minimizing exposure over a patient’s lifetime. Some individual dental X-rays can involve less radiation than the amount of natural background radiation a person receives during a normal day.
It is still important to recognize that ionizing radiation is not completely risk-free. The FDA explains that X-ray exposure can contribute to a small increase in lifetime cancer risk, which is why medical and dental professionals should avoid unnecessary imaging. The appropriate question is therefore whether a particular X-ray provides enough useful information to justify that small exposure.
Dental X-Rays Should Be Based On Your Individual Needs
There is no single X-ray schedule that makes sense for every patient. Someone with several active cavities or a history of frequent decay may require imaging more often than a patient with excellent oral health and a low cavity risk.
I also consider whether you are a new or established patient, whether previous X-rays are available, whether you have symptoms, and whether I am monitoring an existing condition. Children and teenagers may have different imaging needs because their mouths and teeth are still developing.
Current ADA recommendations specifically support individualized radiographic decisions rather than automatically taking images based only on a predetermined time interval. This helps me obtain the information necessary for good dental care without exposing you to imaging that is unlikely to change your diagnosis or treatment.
What Does ALARA Mean In Dental Care?
You may hear the term ALARA, which means “as low as reasonably achievable.” It is an important radiation-safety principle used in dentistry and medicine.
The idea is straightforward. Every X-ray should have a legitimate clinical reason, and when an image is necessary, the exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable while still producing diagnostically useful information. The ADA also discusses the related concept of ALADA, or keeping exposure as low as diagnostically acceptable.
For me, this means considering whether the image is needed, selecting the appropriate type of X-ray, and avoiding unnecessary repeat exposures.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnant patients often have understandable concerns about dental X-rays. Current ADA guidance states that dental radiographs can be taken safely during pregnancy when they are clinically necessary. The ADA also notes that needed dental treatment should not automatically be postponed simply because a patient is pregnant.
I still want to know if you are pregnant or believe you may be pregnant because your complete health history helps me make appropriate treatment decisions. If an X-ray can safely wait because it offers no immediate diagnostic benefit, postponing it may make sense. If imaging is needed to diagnose pain, infection, or another dental condition, avoiding necessary care can carry its own risks. The decision should be based on clinical necessity rather than fear of dental imaging alone.
What About Lead Aprons And Thyroid Collars?
Many patients grew up expecting a heavy lead apron whenever dental X-rays were taken. Current ADA recommendations have changed.
In 2024, the ADA stated that routine use of lead abdominal aprons and thyroid collars is no longer recommended for patients undergoing dental X-rays when modern equipment and proper techniques are being used. The recommendation reflects improvements in dental X-ray technology and concerns that shielding can sometimes interfere with imaging and lead to repeated exposures.
This change does not mean radiation protection is less important. It means modern radiation safety focuses more heavily on appropriate imaging, equipment, technique, beam restriction, and avoiding unnecessary exposures.
Can Dental X-Rays Find Problems Before They Hurt?
Yes, and this is one of their most important benefits. Dental disease does not always cause pain early. Decay can develop between teeth without being visible during a routine examination, and changes around the root of a tooth may be present before you feel significant symptoms. Bone loss associated with periodontal disease can also be evaluated radiographically.
Finding a problem earlier may allow me to recommend more conservative treatment. Waiting until a condition becomes painful can sometimes mean that considerably more tooth structure or supporting tissue has already been affected. At Simply Teeth, I balance the diagnostic value of an X-ray against the small radiation exposure so that imaging is performed for a reason rather than simply as a routine habit.
Schedule An Exam With Simply Teeth
Dental X-rays are generally safe when they are used appropriately, but appropriate use matters. Modern dental imaging involves low radiation exposure, and current recommendations emphasize obtaining X-rays only when they provide meaningful diagnostic information. At Simply Teeth, I consider your dental history, examination findings, symptoms, previous images, and individual risk factors before recommending radiographs.
As Dr. Patel, my goal is to explain why an X-ray is being recommended rather than simply telling you that it is routine. If you have questions about radiation exposure, pregnancy, previous imaging, or whether you need new dental X-rays, I am happy to discuss those concerns as part of your care. Simply Teeth serves patients in Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Des Plaines, Illinois. Contact Simply Teeth today to schedule an exam, by calling us at 847-870-1111.
