(HealthDay News) -- Healthy teeth require more than good dental hygiene and regular cleanings. Dental X-rays can show potential abnormalities that your dentist couldn't otherwise see, indicating how healthy your teeth really are.

Here's a list of what dental X-rays can be used to identify, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

  • The number, size and position of all teeth.
  • Teeth that are impacted or those that haven't emerged.
  • Cavities.
  • Damage to the bones surrounding the teeth.
  • Abscesses.
  • Fractures in the jaw.
  • Other abnormalities of the teeth or jaw.