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How Often Do I Really Need Dental X-Rays? Your Hygienist Explains

Dental X-rays are essential tools for seeing what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. But how often do you actually need them? The frequency isn’t one-size-fits-all; it depends on your individual oral health status, risk factors, and history. At Practice 32 in Colorado Springs, your dental hygienist takes necessary X-rays based on professional judgment and guidelines, helping to ensure comprehensive preventive care.

Why X-Ray Frequency Varies

Factors influencing how often X-rays are recommended include:

• Your Age: Children and teens may need X-rays more often as their teeth and jaws are developing, and they can be more prone to cavities.
• Your Current Oral Health: If you have signs of gum disease, frequent cavities, or existing restorations (fillings, crowns), more frequent X-rays might be needed for monitoring.
• Your Cavity Risk Level: Factors like diet, home care habits, dry mouth, and fluoride exposure influence your risk, which affects X-ray recommendations.
• Being a New Patient: A comprehensive set of X-rays (like bitewings and possibly a panoramic) is often needed for new patients to establish a baseline record of their oral health, even if records are transferred from a previous dental office.
• Specific Concerns: If you have symptoms like tooth pain or suspected issues, specific X-rays (like periapicals) will be taken.

General Guidelines (Based on ADA Recommendations)

The American Dental Association (ADA) provides general guidelines, but your dental professionals tailor them to you:

• Healthy Adults with Low Cavity Risk: Bitewing X-rays every 1-3 years may be sufficient.
• Adults with Higher Cavity Risk or Gum Disease: Bitewings are often recommended annually.
• Children & Adolescents: Often benefit from bitewings every 6-12 months due to higher cavity susceptibility during development.
• Panoramic X-rays: Taken less frequently (e.g., every 3-5 years) for a broader overview, assessment of wisdom teeth, or jaw issues.

The Role of Your Hygienist and Dentist

Your dental hygienist at Practice 32 is skilled in taking high-quality digital X-rays safely. We review them for immediate signs related to hygiene care, such as tartar buildup below the gums or general bone levels.

The official diagnosis based on X-rays is made by a dentist. They interpret the images to identify specific conditions like cavities requiring fillings, infections needing treatment, cysts, or significant bone loss requiring specialist care. If our hygienists note potential concerns on your X-rays needing diagnosis or treatment, we coordinate with a trusted Colorado Springs dental practice for referral and follow-up.

Safe and Essential Diagnostic Tools

We use digital X-rays, minimizing radiation exposure while maximizing diagnostic value. They are a safe and indispensable part of ensuring comprehensive oral health care.

Discuss Your X-Ray Needs in Colorado Springs

Have questions about your dental X-ray frequency? Talk to your hygienist at Practice 32 during your next visit.

Call Practice 32 at 719-427-4733 to schedule your check-up and cleaning!

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Other Dental Services

• 
  Dental Services
  
• 
  Antimicrobial Therapy
  
• 
  Deep Scaling & Root Planing
  
• 
  Dental Examinations
  
• 
  Desensitizing Treatments
  
• 
  Diagnostic Imaging
  
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  Fluoride Treatments
  
• 
  Infant Oral Health Screenings
  
• 
  Periodontal Exams
  
• 
  Personalized Preventive Care
  
• 
  Preventive Sealants
  
• 
  Supportive Periodontal Therapy
  
• 
  Topical or Local Anesthesia
  
• 
  Teeth Whitening
  

Dental Services Provided For

• 
  Colorado Springs
  
• 
  Manitou Springs
  
• 
  Gleneagle
  
• 
  Briargate
  
• 
  Black Forest
  
• 
  Falcon
  
• 
  Northeast Colorado Springs
  
• 
  East Colorado Springs
  
• 
  Cimarron Hills
  
• 
  Stratmoor
  
• 
  Southeast Colorado Springs
  
• 
  Fort Carson
  
• 
  Fountain
  
• 
  Woodland Park
  
• 
  Green Mountain Falls
  
• 
  Cascade
  
• 
  Eastonville
  
• 
  Stratmoor
  
• 
  Carson
  
• 
  Fountain
  
• 
  Rock Creek Park
  
• 
  Monument
  
• 
  Palmer Lake
  
• 
  Knob Hill
  
• 
  Northgate
  
• 
  Gleneagle
  
• 
  Woodmoor
  
• 
  Cascade-Chipita Park
  
• 
  & More!
  

Check out our Glowing Reviews!

★★★★★ 5/5


Lisa.★★★★★
I highly recommend Practice 32. Olivia is very knowledgeable. She has state of the art equipment and takes the time to explain what she is doing, explains how to properly floss and how to take the best care of your teeth. Very different from any other teeth cleaning I’ve ever experienced! Definitely check out Practice 32!


Jerome★★★★★
When I went to Practice 32, I found Olivia to be very professional and friendly. The office was immaculate, beautifully decorated and calming. Olivia spent more time than any other dental hygienist I had been to explaining her process and how to better care for my teeth…


Joe★★★★★
Not only are my teeth super clean, I learned so much in how to properly clean my teeth. Trust me, I thought I knew what I was doing but Olivia showed me the way!! If you want great care and knowledge, go see Olivia. Wouldn’t go anywhere else!!


Michelle★★★★★
This was the most pleasant and relaxing dental cleaning that I’ve ever had. Olivia was patient and kind, and explained the process and the equipment. I found it both interesting and informative! I appreciate that she was also able to take X-rays, which can be sent to my new dentist. Olivia will be my hygienist from here on out. Thank you!


Rose★★★★★
Olivia is a wonderful! This is the first time I’ve used the guided biofilm therapy, and my teeth felt so much cleaner than a traditional cleaning. Highly recommend!

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