A dental check-up encompasses a comprehensive assessment of your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, mouth, and saliva. It is a fundamental component of your dental hygiene routine, alongside regular brushing and flossing. Dental hygiene encompasses practices aimed at preventing dental diseases and maintaining optimal oral health. The two primary dental diseases that are commonly addressed during check-ups are tooth decay and gum disease. By prioritizing dental check-ups and adhering to good oral hygiene habits, you can effectively safeguard your oral health and prevent potential dental issues.

Dental visits should commence around 12 months old or when the first teeth appear in babies. It's important to prioritize dental check-ups, even if you feel your teeth are healthy, as they provide preventive care and early issue detection. Regular visits contribute to the overall well-being of your teeth and proactive dental care.

Neglecting dental check-ups heightens the risk of dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, inadequate oral care is linked to chronic health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Neglecting dental visits may also result in undetected oral cancer and other significant health concerns. Prioritizing regular check-ups is crucial for maintaining oral health and overall well-being.

Dentists utilize x-rays to gain insight into the underlying structures of teeth and gums, enabling the detection of dental diseases beyond what a visual examination alone can reveal.

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The type of x-ray taken depends on the specific condition being assessed. Dental x-rays serve several purposes, including:

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• Identifying tooth decay.

• Assessing the status of previous dental treatments.

• Revealing bone loss resulting from severe gum disease.

• Examining fractures in teeth and bones caused by facial or oral injuries.

• Determining the positioning of teeth in relation to nerves, sinuses, and other facial structures.

• Detecting abscesses, cysts, and tumors.

• Monitoring tooth development stages, including the timing of eruption.

• Identifying extra teeth, missing teeth, and impacted teeth that are blocked from emerging.

• Assisting in treatment planning for procedures such as fillings, dental implants, orthodontic treatment, denture fabrication, root canal treatment, and extractions.

By providing crucial diagnostic information, x-rays allow dentists to plan and execute dental procedures effectively and with precision.

Dental x-rays may raise concerns regarding radiation safety, but it's important to note that they employ a very low level of radiation and are considered safe. The amount of radiation exposure from dental x-rays is significantly lower than that from everyday sources.

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Both children and adults can undergo dental x-rays without health risks, given the minimal radiation exposure involved.

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To further ensure safety, your dentist will leave the room when taking your x-rays. While patients may have x-rays taken months or years apart, dentists perform multiple x-rays daily. By stepping outside the treatment room, dentists minimize their own ongoing radiation exposure.

Rest assured that dental x-rays, with their low radiation levels, have been deemed safe for patients, and appropriate precautions are taken to maintain the well-being of both dental professionals and patients.

Bite wing x-rays

Bite wing x-rays are used as part of general dental check-ups. They are most commonly used to look for tooth decay and examine the level of bone around the teeth.

Your dentist will advise you how often these should be taken. This is usually based on how well you care for your teeth, your risk of developing tooth decay and/or gum disease, any current signs of disease and the status of your past dental treatment.

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Periapical x-rays

A periapical x-ray is used to view an entire tooth, including the root(s) of the tooth and the bone surrounding it.
Some situations where your dentist may ask to take a periapical x-ray include if you have a sore tooth, before removing a tooth, or before, during and after recent dental root canal treatment. Your dentist will ask for your consent to take periapical x-rays and should explain the reason they are needed.

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Panoramic x-ray

A panoramic x-ray, which you may hear your dentist refer to as a ‘full-mouth x-ray’. This type of dental x-ray includes a view of the temporomandibular (jaw) joints (TMJ), eye sockets, maxillary sinuses, bones of the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) jaws and all the teeth. Full-mouth dental x-rays allow dentists to:

• Detect conditions such as cysts, tumours, and infections.

• Assess the severity of gum disease.

• Assess the stages of tooth development in children.

• Review the development and location of wisdom teeth.

• View how close the teeth sit to nerves, maxillary sinuses, and other facial structures.

• Make plans for dental procedures.

These x-rays provide a good overall view of your mouth. Your dentist may also ask to take additional x-rays of areas of the mouth they need to inspect closer.
Generally, full-mouth x-rays are not recommended as the main x-ray to be used for detecting tooth decay.  

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Lateral cephalometric x-ray

A lateral cephalometric x-ray is used to capture a side-on view of your head and neck. This x-ray, together with a full-mouth x-ray, are routinely used in planning orthodontic treatment.

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Cone beam computerised tomography

Cone-beam computerised tomography (CBCT) is used to create a three-dimensional (3-D) image of your teeth, jaws and surrounding facial structures. It may be referred to in short as a CBCT.

These x-rays are commonly used by dentists and dental specialists when planning more complex treatments.
Not all dental practices will have the equipment to take all the above-listed types of x-rays. Where necessary, you may be provided with a referral to an x-ray clinic that has the necessary equipment to take the required x-ray.