Why does the dentist take X-rays?

X-Rays allow your dentist to look for oral health issues that may be difficult to identify with a visual examination alone. Your dentist may recommend a full-set of X-rays to establish a baseline for your oral health, identify potential problems such as cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth, or prepare for a larger dental treatment. Today, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients receive dental X-rays at 6 to 18 month intervals, depending on their risk level for decay.