Radiation is all around us.
Electromagnetic radiation (such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet and x-rays) has been known since the early 19th century and can be very helpful in everyday activities. In medicine and in other places (f.e. airports) it is common to use X-rays to see not only visible but also hidden structures.
Too much radiation exposure over a longer amount of time can definitely have an impact on health.
You should not be afraid of X-rays anymore
However, nowadays X-ray machines are extremely fast and the radiation is microscopic. Without X-ray images, even the best dentist can only guess what is happening in deeper tissues of your mouth.
About 50% of our teeth are covered by gums and bone. That means X-ray images are important in dentistry. Because nobody has X-ray vision, except for superheroes in movies 🙂
Did you know?
Radiophobia is a fear of ionizing radiation.
Dental x-rays are necessary:
- to give you the most accurate treatment plan – diagnostics purposes;
- for successful treatment of cavities, dental roots canals etc;
- in dental surgery, (dental implants treatment, dental crowns treatment);
- for orthodontic treatment and other
The biological effects of radiation on the body are described by a measurement called a millisievert – mSv.
There is so little radiation with dental X-ray scans that you would have to get over 5,000 scans in one year to equal the amount of radiation that you are naturally exposed to during your life.
External links: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-i-worry-about-x-rays https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation