Oftentimes patients ask us, “Are dental x-rays safe?” We would like to take a moment to discuss this subject because there are a lot of misconceptions as well as legitimate health concerns. For example, many patients do not realize there are different types of X-rays and imaging techniques. For dental X-rays, we use the lowest dose of radiation we can.

When considering whether you need a set of dental X-rays, it may help to weigh the pros and cons.

Early detection and diagnosis lead to early treatment. For most conditions, including head and neck cancer, early treatment is more likely to be successful. Oral cancer screening only takes a few minutes and it just may save a life. Your dentist is your first line of defense against oral cancers.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, so we published this post to educate our patients on the importance of oral cancer screenings. This post isn’t intended to serve as a replacement for medical care. We hope the information empowers you to seek appropriate screening and care for yourself and for your family.