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If cavities are not evident what does he think the xray will show?
Ever had bloodwork on an annual physical even though you were feeling fine? If you're female, ever had a doctor do a Pap smear or examine your breasts even though you had no signs of a problem? Ever had a colonoscopy even though your digestive system is behaving just fine?
Of course my doc doesn't order a whole-body MRI with every check-up; I'd fire her if she did. You have to choose which screening tests are likely to find problems that weren't evident based on cost/benefit. I consider annual dental X-rays a cheap way to find undetected problems before they turn into a crown, a root canal or something more expensive.
Mine recommended one after he became concerned because I seemed to be cracking fillings and losing a crown on occasion- more frequently than he would have expected. I can't tell you how many years I've had it but it was before I retired and that was 5 years ago. (I do clean it regularly!) my problem was clenching rather than grinding. I highly recommend it- buy a cheapie at the drug store and see if you can sleep with it. I never had an issue and the breakages have stopped.
I do have a mold-to-your-mouth drugstore kit that's been sitting in a drawer for about 3 years, maybe I'll try it, lol. I wonder if I clench? IDK but sometimes I wake up with a headache and it feels like I've been clenched tight.
If cavities are not evident on examination, and the patient says she has no pain or any problem, why does he need xray>
Why does this need to be explained to you?
Because when cavities are small, they are not visible to examination, and they don't yet cause you pain.
The x-rays are needed to SEE the cavities when they are still small, before they get big enough to see in your mouth. If there are no x-rays taken, then the small cavities get large, they then destroy the tooth, which the dentist then has to repair with likely a root canal and crown, and which you have to pay for. Tiny cavities cost much less money to fix.
I do have a mold-to-your-mouth drugstore kit that's been sitting in a drawer for about 3 years, maybe I'll try it, lol. I wonder if I clench? IDK but sometimes I wake up with a headache and it feels like I've been clenched tight.
There are jaw, face, neck, even shoulder relaxation exercises you can do to help reduce a clenching habit. You may notice how much tension your jaw, face or neck are under during the day, but you can continue the this involuntary habit while sleep. You only notice the soreness the next morning. Night guards change the angle of your jaw and can help relax the muscles in addition to protecting your teeth.
There are several websites that describe exercises that help. My dentist sent me to a PT initially, but the PT taught me how to do these at home. Here's one site describing the ones I learned. They did help!
There are jaw, face, neck, even shoulder relaxation exercises you can do to help reduce a clenching habit. You may notice how much tension your jaw, face or neck are under during the day, but you can continue the this involuntary habit while sleep. You only notice the soreness the next morning. Night guards change the angle of your jaw and can help relax the muscles in addition to protecting your teeth.
There are several websites that describe exercises that help. My dentist sent me to a PT initially, but the PT taught me how to do these at home. Here's one site describing the ones I learned. They did help!
Because when cavities are small, they are not visible to examination, and they don't yet cause you pain.
The x-rays are needed to SEE the cavities when they are still small, before they get big enough to see in your mouth. If there are no x-rays taken, then the small cavities get large, they then destroy the tooth, which the dentist then has to repair with likely a root canal and crown, and which you have to pay for. Tiny cavities cost much less money to fix.
Why does this need to be explained to you??
Everybody do not get cavities. No need to go looking for them. Often they can be detected cavities by simply doing a physical examination.
Was it a full mouth? If so may I ask how long it took?
I think it was a full mouth since I haven't had xrays in about 2 years. She took 2 on each side, one on the right back and then closer to the front, and then repeated on the left side, back and front. It was a split second for each xray.
Numerous people are also agreeing with me. Do you not notice?
Unfortunately yes.
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