The Safety of Dental X-Rays for Kids: What Parents Should Know
You Can Relax — Dental X-Rays Are Safer Than Ever
When you hear the word “x-ray,” it’s natural to think about radiation — but here’s the good news: dental x-rays today are incredibly safe, especially for children.
At Good Life Smiles in Omaha, we use modern digital x-rays that give off up to 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays. That means your child is getting only a tiny fraction of what they’d get from everyday life.
Putting It in Perspective: Everyday Radiation
Radiation is all around us — in the air, the ground, and even the food we eat. Here’s how a dental x-ray compares:
Eating one banana exposes you to more radiation than a single digital dental x-ray.
A round-trip flight from Omaha to Disney World gives your body hundreds of times more radiation than a dental x-ray.
Spending a day in the sun gives you more exposure than your child’s entire dental visit.
So while the word “radiation” can sound intimidating, the actual exposure from a dental x-ray is extremely minimal — and the benefits for your child’s oral health are significant.
Why Kids Need Dental X-Rays
Children’s mouths grow and change quickly. Cavities can form between teeth, and sometimes they’re invisible without an X-ray (unless they’re really big!). X-rays also help us plan for the teeth that are already in place and those that are on the way.
Dental x-rays help us:
Catch small cavities early before they cause pain.
Check that adult teeth are developing properly.
Spot problems below the surface like infections or bone issues.
By using x-rays only when necessary, Dr. Pete and the Good Life Smiles team can help prevent bigger issues down the road.
Our Safety Promise for Every Child
We take your child’s safety seriously. That’s why we use:
Digital x-ray technology for ultra-low radiation.
Age-appropriate scheduling, meaning x-rays are only taken when truly needed for diagnosis or monitoring growth.
Every decision is based on your child’s individual needs — not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What You Can Tell Your Child
If your child is nervous about x-rays, you can say:
“The dentist is taking special pictures to make sure your teeth are growing strong, and it doesn’t hurt at all!”
Most kids love seeing their “tooth pictures” on the screen afterward. It helps them understand their own smile and builds trust during visits.
The Bottom Line
Dental x-rays are a safe, essential part of keeping your child’s teeth healthy. At Good Life Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Omaha, we combine the safest technology available with a gentle, kid-centered approach. You can feel confident knowing your child is in great hands — and that every x-ray we take is for their best smile possible
Ready to schedule your child’s next dental visit?
Call (402) 502-1700 or book online to see why families across Omaha trust Good Life Smiles for safe, comfortable care from a pediatric dentist.