How Often Do You Need Dental X-Rays? Bitewings & OPG Explained

If you have ever wondered why your dentist takes X-rays some visits and not others, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions we hear at North Beach Dental. The honest answer is that there is no single rule that fits everyone, and the right interval depends on your own teeth, gums and history.

In this article we will walk through the two main types of dental X-ray you are likely to come across, what each one actually shows, and why your dentist might suggest a different timeframe for you than for your partner or your parents.

What is a bitewing X-ray?

A bitewing X-ray is a small image taken inside your mouth. You bite gently on a little tab while the picture is taken, which is where the name comes from.

This type of X-ray shows the crowns of your back teeth, upper and lower, in one image. It is especially good at picking up decay forming between teeth, which is very hard for a dentist to spot just by looking, and it also shows the level of bone around your teeth.

Without a bitewing, quite a lot of early decay can hide out of sight until it becomes a bigger problem. That is why bitewings are the X-ray most people have during a routine check-up.

How often do you need dental X-rays?

This is really the heart of the question, and the honest answer is: it depends on you. Your dentist looks at a few things before deciding how often you personally need bitewing X-rays, including how many fillings or areas of decay you have had in the past, how tightly your teeth sit against each other, your gum health, and how well your teeth can be checked just by looking and feeling with a mirror and probe.

At North Beach Dental, our usual starting point is bitewing X-rays about every two years for an adult with a fairly stable mouth. That said, this is only ever a starting point. Some people need them a bit more often, for example if there has been recent decay or if teeth are close together and hard to check visually. Others, with a long history of healthy check-ups, might go longer between X-rays.

The dentist always makes this call for each person individually, rather than applying one timeframe to everyone in the practice.

Do you need dental X-rays every year?

Not necessarily. Some people with a higher risk of decay, such as those with recent fillings, dry mouth or active gum disease, may be advised to have bitewings closer to once a year until things settle down. Someone with a stable, low-risk mouth may comfortably go two years or a little longer between sets. Your dentist will tell you what suits your situation rather than sticking to a fixed yearly rule.

How often do you need dental X-rays as an adult?

Adults are not automatically X-rayed at every visit. Many adults have a check-up and clean roughly every six months, but bitewing X-rays are usually only needed on a longer cycle, around every two years as a general guide. If you are a new patient and we don't have any recent X-rays on file for you, we may recommend taking a set early on simply to get a clear starting picture of your teeth.

What is a panoramic (OPG) X-ray, and how often do you need one?

An OPG, short for orthopantomogram, is often just called a panoramic X-ray. Instead of a small image of a few teeth, it is one wide picture of your whole mouth taken from outside, with the machine moving in an arc around your head while you stay still.

The result is a single wide image of all the teeth, both jaws, the jaw joints and the lower part of the sinuses. This makes it a useful tool for getting an overview rather than a close-up. It is useful for looking at wisdom teeth, checking how children's adult teeth are developing, planning orthodontic treatment, and getting an overview before larger treatment, and because it shows less fine detail than an intraoral X-ray, it is used alongside bitewings and periapicals rather than instead of them.

Unlike bitewings, there is no fixed every-two-years rule for an OPG. It tends to be taken when there is a specific reason, such as a new patient check-up, planning for an extraction, or a general assessment of the jaw. There is no fixed schedule, and people with a higher risk of decay or active gum disease may need imaging more often than those with healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist will explain why an OPG is being recommended and what they are hoping to see.

We take the OPG right here at the practice, so you don't need to book a separate trip to a radiology clinic if one is needed as part of your care.

Why X-rays matter, even when your teeth feel fine

It is easy to assume that if nothing hurts, your teeth must be fine. Unfortunately, a lot of dental problems develop quietly. Decay between teeth, early bone loss from gum disease and small issues around old fillings often don't cause any pain until they have progressed quite a bit.

X-rays let your dentist see what is happening below the surface and between teeth, well before it becomes something you can feel. Catching a small problem early generally means simpler, smaller treatment down the track.

This is really the whole point of regular check-ups, which you can read more about on our general dentistry page. A check-up combines a visual and physical exam with X-rays when they are needed, rather than relying on just one or the other.

What affects how often you personally need X-rays

A few things tend to shape the timing for each person:

• Your history of decay and fillings
• How your gums are tracking
• Whether your teeth sit close together, making visual checks harder
• Whether you have had any recent dental treatment
• Your age and stage of dental development, particularly for children and teenagers

None of these are things to worry about on their own. They simply help your dentist work out a sensible timeframe, rather than guessing. If you are a new patient, bring along any X-rays you have from a previous dentist if you can, as this may mean you don't need a new set straight away. Our new patients page has more on what to expect at your first visit.

Cost and health funds

We know cost is often part of the decision-making. Before any X-ray or treatment goes ahead, your dentist will explain what is being recommended and why, along with the cost, so there are no surprises. You are always welcome to ask for the item numbers so you can check them against your own health fund.

North Beach Dental is a preferred provider for HBF, Medibank, HCF and nib, which usually means a smaller out-of-pocket gap for eligible treatment under those funds. If you are with a different fund, you can generally still claim, so it is worth checking your policy or asking our team. If you are organising care for a child, it is also worth knowing that the practice sees children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, and DVA patients are welcome too. For the current rules on either of these, Services Australia and the Department of Veterans' Affairs are the best places to check the details.

Frequently asked questions

Are dental X-rays safe?

The radiation dose is very low, and Australian guidance says lead aprons aren't routinely needed, and X-rays can be taken safely during pregnancy when needed. If you are pregnant or have any concerns, it is always worth mentioning this to your dentist before any imaging, so they can talk you through it.

What is the difference between a bitewing and an OPG?

A bitewing is a small image taken inside the mouth, showing a close-up of the back teeth and the bone around them. An OPG is a single wide image taken from outside the mouth, showing the whole jaw, both rows of teeth and the jaw joints in one picture. They answer different questions, so one doesn't replace the other.

Can I say no to a dental X-ray?

Yes, it is your decision. Your dentist will explain why an X-ray is being suggested and what they hope it will show, so you can make an informed choice. Keep in mind that without one, some problems simply can't be seen or properly assessed.

How often should children have dental X-rays?

This depends on the individual child, including their risk of decay and how their adult teeth are developing. Children are generally only X-rayed when there is a clear reason, and your dentist will talk you through the timing for your own child rather than following a one-size-fits-all rule.

Do I need an OPG every time I visit?

No. An OPG is generally only taken when there is a specific reason, such as a new patient assessment or before certain treatment, rather than at every single visit. Bitewings are the more routine, check-up style X-ray.

Getting your teeth checked regularly, with X-rays at the right intervals for you, is one of the simplest ways to stay ahead of problems rather than reacting to them. If you are in North Beach, Carine, Marmion or anywhere else around Perth's northern beaches and it has been a while since your last check-up, our team at North Beach Dental is happy to have a look and talk you through what, if anything, you might need. You can learn a little more about our team on our about us page.

Ready to book? You can choose a time online that suits you, or give our friendly team a call on (08) 9447 1514. We are located at 17 Lawley Street, North Beach, and we would be glad to help you find the right check-up and X-ray schedule for your own teeth. Book your appointment with North Beach Dental today.