Are dental x-rays safe?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Yes. Modern dental x-rays use very low doses, and each one must justify itself. The American Dental Association says dentists follow ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable: every exposure is justified by its benefit, digital sensors and shielding keep doses minimal, and doses stay well below allowable limits. The ADA considers radiographs safe during pregnancy at any stage with proper shielding when needed for treatment, though you should always say if you are or might be pregnant. The joint FDA and ADA guidance frames each x-ray as a balance between diagnostic benefit and cumulative exposure, which is why imaging is matched to your risk rather than done by habit. Skipping needed x-rays is the bigger risk: hidden decay and infections do more harm than the dose.
What to do
- Say if you are or might be pregnant before any imaging.
- Transfer old x-rays when you change dentists to avoid repeats.
- Ask why an x-ray is needed; a justified image always has a reason you can hear.
- Do not refuse needed imaging out of dose fear; the hidden problem is the bigger risk.
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