How Often Do You Need X-rays

One of the things that drives me a bit nuts is the way insurance and toothpaste companies have been allowed to dictate dental treatment. We see the dentist twice a year because way back when one of the toothpaste manufacturers used that as a tag line in their marketing campaigns. We take x-rays (full mouth x-rays) maybe once every three years because an insurance company has decided to pay for them in that manner.

This is totally crazy. When it comes to deciding how often you, as a patient, need to see your dentist, it should be the dentists decision in line with your best interest. How often do you need x-rays? Well, once again that is a treatment decision best left to your dentist and not to some insurance clerk.

The higher your dental disease index (how really bad your teeth may be) the more often you need to see your dentist and probably the more often you will need x-rays to check for decay, infections and the like. This makes a bit more sense than allowing non-professionals to dictate dental treatment.

Just the thought for the day....