Why Do I Need X-Rays If Nothing Hurts? | Dentist Explains
"If nothing hurts, why do I need x-rays?" — one of the most common questions I hear every single day at Jackson Family Dentistry.
The answer might surprise you. Dental disease doesn't hurt until it's serious. Pain is a late-stage symptom, not an early warning. X-rays let us see the decay, bone loss, and infections hiding beneath the surface — before they become major problems.
In this video I cover:
• Why pain is a poor indicator of dental health
• What x-rays actually catch that a visual exam can't
• The difference between bitewings, periapicals, and panoramics
• Real radiation numbers (and why they're not scary)
• Why kids often need x-rays MORE than adults
• X-rays during pregnancy — what's actually safe
• The real financial cost of skipping them
Dr. Eric G. Jackson is a nine-time Chicago Magazine Top Dentist and the owner of Jackson Family Dentistry in Downers Grove, IL.
Questions? Call us: (630) 963-6750
Schedule online: www.jacksonfamilydentistry.us
—— TIMESTAMPS ——
00:00:02 Introduction: Why take X-rays if nothing hurts?
00:00:35 The fundamental truth: Pain is a late-stage symptom
00:01:10 The limits of a visual clinical exam
00:01:23 What X-rays reveal (interproximal decay, bone loss, infections)
00:02:09 The 3 main types of dental X-rays & their uses
00:03:26 Radiation exposure and the safety of digital X-rays
00:03:58 Why children might need X-rays sooner
00:04:27 Determining X-ray frequency for adults
00:04:46 The safety of dental X-rays during pregnancy
00:05:22 How X-rays actually save you money
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