Answer:
3 year olds usually have all their baby teeth erupted. The molars in a 3 year old are now touching. Xrays allow the dentist to look between the molars, which cannot be seen when just looking in the mouth. The most common spot for cavities to develop are between these baby molars, and we have seen many young children with cavities between the molars, detected by xrays. Also, xrays show the developing adult teeth that are still under the gums and bone. This gives the dentist a look at the size of the adult teeth, and if any adult teeth are missing. Parents and kids really love looking at the xrays because it shows all the baby teeth and the developing adult teeth. We often get the comment “We didn’t know all those teeth were there!” We usually start with a single xray of the front teeth, and we will take this as early as the child will cooperate, because it is the easiest one to take, and a great introduction for the child to taking xrays. We will, at a next visit, take bitewings (xrays of the upper and lower back teeth) are taken when all the baby teeth are erupted, and the molars are touching.
Xrays are an important part of the oral health examination, even with young children. Dentists require xrays to get an entire picture of your child’s mouth, and to properly and accurately diagnose cavities.
For more information on dental xrays for young children or for adults, contact us at (604) 738-1816 or info@kitsfamilydental.com. Our family dental office in Kitsilano, Vancouver, offers xrays and our dentists love working with children, so it will be as pleasant an experience as possible.
