Tooth decay and other dental issues can often sneak up on you, progressing silently and without discomfort until you’re faced with the need for more extensive, costly repairs. We use dental x-rays in our Clifton Hill clinic to reduce your risk of dental issues and identify concerns before they worsen.
Let’s take a look at what actually happens if you skip x-rays for a few years and what the trade-off could be.
The Hidden Risks of Skipping X-Rays
X-rays are an invaluable tool for detecting dental issues; if you repeatedly decline this service, here’s what could happen:
- Unseen cavity growth — When we perform a routine dental examination, we can only see the tops and sides of your teeth. Only dental x-rays can show us the areas where your teeth touch. If left unchecked for a long time, tiny cavities can become larger and reach the inner dentin layer inside your tooth. This is where your tooth’s nerves are, and once decay reaches that area, you might need a more expensive root canal and crown instead of a simple filling.
- Silent bone loss — Gum disease usually doesn’t hurt in its early stages, but once the tartar builds up along your gumline, it can destroy your jawbone. This bone loss isn’t visible to the naked eye, and when it’s left untreated, it could lead to loose teeth or tooth loss. Dental x-rays are the best way to detect bone loss.
- Chronic root infections — Older fillings, cracks in your teeth or a tooth that has sustained trauma could eventually lead to a painful infection. Routine dental x-rays identify these areas at the tip of your tooth’s roots, but without treatment, the infection could get into your bloodstream and affect your overall health as well.
Oral Health Questions in Clifton Hill, VIC?
If you’d like to learn more about how we use x-rays as an integral part of our preventive dentistry services, feel free to reach out to our caring team. At Clifton Hill Dental, your oral health is our top priority, and we’ll do whatever we can to help you achieve the healthy smile you deserve.
We hope to hear from you soon.