At Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, we recognize that every child is different, and that's why we approach dental X-rays with a careful, customized strategy. Dr. Bosede Adeniji is a dedicated and highly experienced pediatric dentistry specialist providing the latest in evidence-based care.
Dental X-rays are one of the most crucial aspects of preventive dental care for children. They allow us to detect potential problems early, before severe tooth decay, tooth alignment, or other oral health problems gain traction. Thanks to early detection and treatment, children can often avoid complicated and costly procedures as they grow.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends individualized X-ray scheduling for each young patient. The guiding principle is ALARA: As low as reasonably achievable. This essentially means that dentists recommend X-rays only when clinically indicated to minimize radiation exposure for children.
Dr. Adeniji considers all factors, including your child's age, dental history, visual exam findings, and changes since their last exam, before recommending X-rays.
New patients (children who are seeing the dentist for the first time) may not need X-rays, but this can vary with age and situation.
If your child has only primary dentition (baby teeth but no adult teeth yet), they may only need a dental exam if they have open contacts. This means that if the teeth have spaces between them (very common when baby teeth are erupting), dentists can often examine the sides of the teeth without X-rays.
However, even if a child has open contacts, they may need X-rays at their first visit if Dr. Adeniji detects signs of tooth decay or structural issues. If your child doesn't have open contacts, they may need some specific X-rays, but kids rarely need full-mouth X-rays on their first visit.
After that first visit, children may need X-rays once or twice a year during checkups if they don’t have open contacts and do have either cavities or an elevated risk of developing them. For children with no cavities and lower risk, X-rays may only be needed once a year or every two years.
Kids with transitional dentition (both baby and adult teeth) may need "bitewing" X-rays to check specific areas like the back molars. These X-rays show between the teeth to help find cavities early. Depending on the situation, some children need whole-mouth X-rays at this point.
Children with transitional dentition who have cavities or a history of them typically need X-rays every 6-18 months. Kids with good oral health and a low risk of cavities may need X-rays only every 18-36 months.
If your child has only adult teeth, they're likely a teenager. At this stage, Dr. Adeniji may recommend both bitewings for the back of the mouth and a panoramic X-ray of the entire mouth.
Teens with cavities or a higher risk of them may need bitewing X-rays every 6-18 months. But those without cavities who are at low risk of them may only need X-rays every 24-36 months.
Wondering if it’s time to book your child’s X-rays now? Reach out to Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt at 301-345-2881 to schedule your appointment.
