How often should I get dental x-rays?

Question: I’ve heard I need to do a new x-ray every year. Is that right?

Dr. A Says: The common refrain of ‘once a year’ is wrong, wrong, wrong. The frequency of x-rays depends largely on your personal dental history, which is determined by many factors.   For example, have you had many decayed teeth? How’s your home care? How’s your diet?

People who have no fillings or very few fillings or decayed areas have earned the right to defer x-rays to, perhaps, 2 year intervals. Your dentist and hygienist can determine the interval based not on a pre-determined interval, but upon your particular need.

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