When your child visits the dentist, you may expect a cleaning, fluoride, and a new toothbrush. But sometimes, our UPD Dental team may also recommend dental X-rays.
For many parents, this brings up an understandable question: Does my child really need X-rays?
The answer is: sometimes, yes. Dental X-rays, also called radiographs, help dentists see what cannot always be seen during a regular exam. They can show areas between teeth, under the gums, inside the jaw, and around adult teeth that are still developing.
Why X-Rays Are Helpful
A dentist can learn a lot by looking inside your child’s mouth, but some things are hidden from view. Cavities can begin between the back teeth, where they may not be easy to see with only a mirror and light. X-rays can also help detect infections, injuries, missing teeth, extra teeth, bone changes, and how permanent teeth are coming in.
This is especially helpful for children because their mouths are always changing. Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth grow in, jaws develop, and spacing can shift over time. X-rays give the dental team more information so they can better understand your child’s oral health and catch certain concerns earlier.
Common Types of Dental X-Rays
Different X-rays show different things. Your child may not need every type, and recommendations are based on their individual needs.
Bitewing X-rays: Are commonly used to look for cavities between the back teeth. These are helpful because many cavities start in areas that are difficult to see during a regular exam.
Periapical X-rays: Focus on one tooth or a small group of teeth. They show the entire tooth, from the crown to the root, and may be used if a child has pain, swelling, injury, or if the dentist needs to look more closely at a specific area.
Panoramic X-rays: Show a wider view of the mouth, jaws, and developing teeth. These can help the dentist see how adult teeth are coming in, check for missing or extra teeth, and evaluate overall growth and development.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Kids?
It is completely normal for parents to ask about safety. Dental X-rays are used carefully and only when they are expected to help with diagnosis, treatment planning, or monitoring growth and development.
Modern dental X-ray technology is designed to use a low amount of radiation. Dental teams also follow safety principles to keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable. This means taking the right image at the right time, avoiding unnecessary X-rays, and using proper technique so images do not need to be retaken.
Why Does My Child Wear a Protective Vest?
Many dental offices use a protective vest, apron, or thyroid collar during X-rays as an added safety measure and to help families feel comfortable. The vest is designed to shield parts of the body that are not being imaged.
Guidance about shielding has changed over time as dental X-ray technology has improved, and office protocols may vary. In many cases, the most important safety steps are making sure the X-ray is truly needed, using the lowest appropriate exposure, aiming the beam carefully, and getting a clear image the first time.
If your child is given a protective vest, it is simply part of the office’s safety routine.
The Bottom Line
Dental X-rays are not taken “just because.” They are used when they can give the dentist important information about your child’s teeth, jaw, growth, or oral health.
Our goal at UPD Dental Associates, is to help families feel informed and comfortable. If X-rays are recommended, our dedicated team is always happy to explain what type is being taken, why it is needed, and what we are looking for.
Sources
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American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “Prescribing Dental Radiographs for Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Individuals with Special Health Care Needs.” The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2025.
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American Dental Association and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “ADA/FDA Guide to Patient Selection for Dental Radiographs.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 14 June 2019.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “The Selection of Patients for Dental Radiographic Examinations.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration.