Are Dental X-Rays Safe? A Local Guide for Two Rocks Families

If you're about to have a dental X-ray, it's natural to wonder how safe it really is. Maybe you're pregnant, maybe your child needs one, or maybe you just want to understand what the fuss is about radiation. At Two Rocks Dental Care, we get asked this a lot, so we wanted to put together a straightforward guide that answers the question are dental X-rays safe, using plain language and trusted Australian sources.

The short answer is yes, dental X-rays are considered safe for almost everyone, including children and pregnant women, when they're taken for a good clinical reason. Let's walk through why, and what that actually means for you and your family here on Perth's northern coast.

What a dental X-ray actually involves

A dental X-ray uses a tiny burst of radiation to create a picture of your teeth, roots and jawbone. It only takes a second or two, and it shows us things we simply can't see by looking in your mouth, like decay between teeth, infection at a root tip, or how wisdom teeth are positioned.

At Two Rocks Dental Care we take these images on site, including an OPG, which stands for orthopantomogram. That's just a fancy word for a single X-ray that shows your whole jaw, both rows of teeth and your sinuses in one picture. You can read more about the different types we offer on our X-rays page.

Are dental X-rays safe? What the radiation actually means

Radiation sounds scary, but we're all exposed to small amounts of it every day, from the sun, the ground, and even from flying in a plane. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, known as ARPANSA, is the government body that monitors this for us, and its guidance is reassuring.

According to ARPANSA, the standard dental X-ray uses very low doses of radiation, and because the doses are very low, both patient and occupational risks are very low. For context, ARPANSA notes that average background radiation exposure in Australia is 1.7 millisieverts per year from natural sources, with a similar amount coming from medical exposures. A single dental X-ray is a tiny fraction of that yearly amount.

ARPANSA also publishes patient information specifically about dental imaging, and it explains that any radiation exposure from dental X-rays is very low level, and unlikely to have health effects. The agency has even worked with the Australian Dental Association to compare dental X-ray doses with everyday exposures, such as the radiation you would be exposed to during a flight from Darwin to Perth, to help patients understand just how small the dose really is.

Why we only take X-rays when they're needed

Even though the dose is low, we don't take X-rays just for the sake of it. ARPANSA is clear on this point too, noting that newer, higher-dose scans like CBCT (a 3D scan) should only be used for complex cases, not routine check-ups, because unnecessary scans are not justified even when the dose is low.

We follow the same thinking with every type of X-ray. Before we take one, we ask ourselves whether it will actually change how we look after your teeth. If the answer is no, we don't take it. If the answer is yes, we'll explain why we're recommending it, what it will show us, and what your other options are, so you can make an informed choice.

This is part of how our team works generally. We talk through the pros and cons of each option honestly, rather than just telling you what to do. You can read a bit more about our approach on our about us page.

Are dental X-rays safe for kids?

Parents often ask us this, and it's a fair question. Children's teeth and jaws are still developing, so dentists are mindful of keeping any radiation exposure as low as possible.

In practice, this means:

• We only take X-rays on kids when there's a genuine reason, such as checking how baby teeth and adult teeth are coming through, or looking for decay between teeth that we can't see.
• Modern digital X-ray equipment uses lower doses than older film-based machines.
• We use protective aprons during the X-ray to limit exposure to the rest of the body.

Kids' dental visits are also a good time to build good habits early, so a check-up and clean often goes hand in hand with any imaging that's needed. Because we're family run, we're used to looking after the whole family in one visit, which saves a trip down to Joondalup.

Are dental X-rays safe when pregnant?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and it's completely understandable to want to be extra careful during pregnancy. The good news is that dental X-rays are not generally something you need to avoid.

ARPANSA's own guidance states plainly that there is no need on radiation protection grounds to defer dental radiography during pregnancy. The dose involved is extremely small, and a protective apron is used to shield the body during the scan.

Are dental X-rays safe during first trimester?

The first trimester is when many people are most cautious, which makes sense given how much development is happening. Dentists generally still consider dental X-rays appropriate at any stage of pregnancy when there's a clear clinical need, such as a toothache or suspected infection that needs diagnosing properly.

If an X-ray isn't urgent, we're always happy to talk through timing with you and wait if that feels more comfortable. The most important thing is to let us know you're pregnant, or think you might be, before any appointment. That way we can talk about the right approach together, rather than guessing.

What affects whether you need an X-ray at all

Not every dental visit needs an X-ray. Whether you need one depends on things like:

• How long it's been since your last X-ray
• Whether you have symptoms like pain, swelling or a loose filling
• Your personal history of decay or gum problems
• Whether we're planning treatment like a crown, root canal, or wisdom tooth removal

If you're unsure whether you're due for one, our team can check your history when you come in for a new patient appointment and explain what's appropriate for you.

Frequently asked questions

How often do I need a dental X-ray?

This varies from person to person, depending on your oral health history and risk of decay or gum disease. Rather than following a fixed schedule, we look at your individual situation at each check-up and only recommend an X-ray when it will genuinely help us look after your teeth.

Do dental X-rays hurt?

No, taking a dental X-ray simply involves holding still for a second or two while the image is captured. Some people find the sensor a little awkward in the mouth, but it's brief, and our team will talk you through each step.

Can I say no to a dental X-ray?

Yes. We'll always explain why we think an X-ray would help, but the decision is yours. If you'd rather not have one on a particular day, let us know and we'll talk about what other options make sense.

Will my health fund cover dental X-rays?

Many extras policies include some cover for X-rays, though this depends on your fund and your level of cover. We're a preferred provider for HBF, HCF and nib, which usually means a smaller gap for eligible treatment, and we can process claims on the spot through HICAPS. We'll always give you a written quote with item numbers first, so you can check the details with your fund.

Are digital X-rays safer than the old film ones?

Digital X-rays generally use less radiation than older film-based systems, and the image appears almost instantly on screen. This is one of the reasons modern dental X-rays involve such a low dose in the first place.

Hopefully this has answered the question are dental X-rays safe in a way that makes sense, without the jargon. The short version is that dental X-rays carry a very small amount of radiation, we only take them when they'll genuinely help your treatment, and that applies whether you're bringing in the kids or you're expecting a baby yourself.

If you've got a specific concern about an upcoming X-ray, or you're just due for a check-up, give Two Rocks Dental Care a call on (08) 9502 9040. You're welcome to book an appointment online at a time that suits you, and our team will talk you through everything before any treatment goes ahead.