The dangers of frequent dental x-rays, how often is safe to get them done, and how to best protect yourself and your children with one simple request at cleanings and checkups.
I don’t get dental x-rays very often. My children did not get them regularly either.
I certainly don’t consider getting them every six months like most dentists seem to demand even for children.
In fact, I have been known to laugh out loud when told by a dental professional that “you get more radiation walking to your car (or eating a banana…?) than from this digital x-ray machine.”
If you haven’t noticed, gaslighting is a common tactic to avoid uncomfortable truths in the medical community.
If dental x-rays are so harmless, why do they put a big lead suit over you? And why does the technician quickly leave the room before the x-rays are taken?
The fact is that anyone who has taken a basic high school physics class knows that radiation comes in many forms. It’s called the electromagnetic spectrum.
You can’t compare the UV and infrared radiation from the sun with ionizing radiation from an x-ray machine that takes pictures of your bones.
How Often is Safe for Dental X-rays?
There are a wide variety of opinions on how often is safe to get a set of dental x-rays.
Most conventional practices do it every six months, even for children. Some will even kick you out if you try to have them done less often!
Once or twice a year for a set of x-rays is far too frequent according to the research detailed below.
Biological dentists will typically do x-rays as infrequently as a patient desires.
To give you a suggested timeframe, my Father (Family Physician) always recommended to his patients as part of his healthy lifestyle suggestions that a set of bitewings every five years and a full set of dental x-rays every 10 years was sufficient when the diet is good and barring any preexisting conditions.
This minimizes exposure to ionizing radiation which is cumulative over a lifetime and can cause cancer.
I’ve followed this recommended timeframe throughout my life and also for my children. My husband does the same.
While this may seem to be a very long time compared to conventional practices, I can attest to the fact that my kids (oldest is now 24) have never had any issues with their teeth for having such infrequent dental x-rays.
And yes, I’ve been subjected to quite the scare tactics from dentists and hygienists over the years about it!
Note that if an issue with a tooth presents itself, you can always request a SINGLE x-ray for that tooth, something many people don’t realize!
Why Do Dentists Skip the Thyroid Guard?
That being said, sometimes you really do need to get a full set of dental x-rays for whatever reason.
If you find yourself in a situation where dental x-rays are needed, be sure to insist on a thyroid guard.
In the picture above, you will see that the child is covered with a lead suit in preparation for the dental x-rays. But, where is the thyroid guard?
Nowhere to be seen!
Most dental technicians don’t use one unless the patient specifically asks for it.
Given that thyroid cancer is on the rise and that there are so many assaults on this delicate, butterfly-shaped organ in our modern life from processed foods and environmental toxins, it is very important that you insist on thyroid protection whenever you get any sort of dental x-ray. (1)
But what about the Snopes claim that this is a conspiracy theory and that there is no danger?
The truth is that Snopes is an organization literally founded and run by fraudsters and escorts. It has no credibility as a fact-checker whatsoever. (2)
Dental X-Rays a Risk to the Thyroid
Here’s the truth about the dangers to health from overly frequent dental x-rays.
Studies have shown that pregnant women who have dental x-rays are at higher risk for having small babies.
Study participants who had dental x-rays while pregnant were at double the risk of having a low birth weight baby born prematurely. In addition, the women were at triple the risk of having an underweight baby born full term. (3)
This study involved 4,500 women who had babies between 1993 and 2000 and was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Philippe Hujoel, a professor of dental public health services at the University of Washington, said that it is unclear how the radiation might be affecting fetuses. He conjectured that perhaps the thyroid gland in the pregnant women was somehow affected by the dental x-rays.
He went on to say that previous studies have found an increased risk of low birth weight babies in women with mild thyroid disease.
Insist on a Thyroid Guard!
It is very important to insist on a thyroid guard whenever you or a loved one has a dental x-ray taken. This simple device should also be used during mammograms.
But, it is best to not do them at all anyway. In a nutshell, always insist on no-radiation solutions like a thermogram or a breast ultrasound.
Even Dr. Oz warns about repeated dental x-rays and mammograms as they can potentially contribute to increased risk for thyroid cancer. (4)
Despite his highly conventional approach, Dr. Oz concludes that wearing a thyroid guard during these procedures is a wise move. (5)
What’s it going to hurt to wear one, after all?
There is absolutely no downside to this extra safety precaution, so don’t let your dentist or hygienist talk you out of it.
If, after asking your dentist for a thyroid guard, you discover that he/she doesn’t even have one available, you can safely assume that it is time for you to find a new dentist!
Need a Dentist Who Won’t Push X-rays?
I get many requests about who I recommend as a truly holistic, biological dentist. If you are looking for one, I recommend Dr. Carlo Litano of Natural-Smiles.com – (727) 300-0044.
He sees young children as well as adults. He also does phone consults for those who don’t live close enough for an office visit. Be sure to tell him that Sarah sent you and get 10% off your first visit!
(1) Thyroid Cancer on the Rise
(2) SNOPES ‘fact checker’ accused of defrauding website, staff includes an escort-porn star
(3) Dental X-Rays Might Lead to Smaller Babies
(4) Repeated Dental Xrays without Neck Shielding Predispose to Thyroid Cancer
(5) Dr. Oz: Thyroid Guards During Mammograms & Dental X-Rays
I had thyroid cancer when I was 26. I had a thyroid tumor (not cancer) when I was 13. I had dental x-rays twice a year with my cleanings that my mom religiously took us to. My cancer doctor (who is the head honcho) at MD Anderson (The number 1 cancer clinic in the world) said NEVER get dental x-rays withOUT the thyroid guard and took it a step further and said do NOT get dental x-rays that are not digital. In other words, if your dentist still uses traditional x-rays, RUN!!!!! He said the level of radiation is MUCH higher with the traditional x-rays compared to the digital. We never get dental x-rays now without the thyroid guard. In fact, our new dentist has a lead bib with a thyroid guard already built in.
My dentist told me recently that a digital x-ray has as much radiation as the regular x-ray. He says that the only difference is that with the digital one you can see the results on computer (digitally) as opposed to a film. It is not the case, is it? The dentist is holistic!
Wow, thank you. I’m going in for an exam and cleaning next month. I’m thinking of actually opting out of the x-ray since I don’t think I should need one every year when I eat such a good diet and have no tooth pains. But still really glad to know about this. It makes so much sense!!!
About a month ago I took my younger son to the dentist. I informed her of our beliefs about unnecessary x-rays and said if it looks like he has a cavity we can x-ray that tooth. She refused to clean his teeth without x-rays.This is not ok I told her the only reason to x-ray was so that she could charge the insurance company and left the office. I am assuming inorder to have his teeth cleaned without x-rays is to find a natural dentist, ridiculous. Since then I have researched how thyroid problems can exist from x-rays. we have a family history of thyroid problems. I have been x-rayed many times for dental purposes. No MORE!
Good for you Jennifer. I have walked out of a dentist’s office more than once. Whatever. You do what you have to do. Don’t ever get bullied into doing something to your body that you feel is not in your best long term interests.
Who is paying who, after all? You are in charge, you are the customer. Doctors and dentists forget this much of the time and run their offices likes little dictatorships. Choose to take your business elsewhere.
You are the paying patient – that is true – however, the DDS is the licensed professional and the owner of the business that YOU must have chosen at some point. You can always choose to take your business elsewhere, and your dentist will be happy when you do. Here’s why: “supervised neglect”. When you, the patient, dictate your own treatment, as in delaying radiographs for years on end, and harm comes to you as a result of that delay, your dentist can lose his or her license. Yes. Even though YOU insisted on no xrays. Or, you could sue that dentist, and win. The idea is that you, the patient, are not qualified to make those decisions under the dentist’s supervision. You are his responsibility. He is the one with the years of training and education. Not you. No reputable dentist will not allow patients to continue in his or her practice under these circumstances. Sarah, I know you hate to have others shine a light on your half-truths and nonsense, so I bet my comment will never get posted. But at least you’ll see it. Nobody’s bullying you. If your dentist says “you have to have xrays with reasonable frequency in order to be a patient here” and you don’t want to, then walk away.
Yes, that’s right, you have just given us the REAL REASON many of these X-rays are given. It’s NOT for the patient’s benefit, it’s for the Dentist’s- so they don’t end up getting sued! Who cares that the patient is being exposed to harmful radiation just as long as the doctor doesn’t get sued for malpractice. A doctor confided in me that one of the reason for many CT scans is exactly the same thing- not because they’re always really needed (in fact, many times the Dr. doesn’t think they are!) but just in case, so the patient can’t come back later and sue.
And yeah, these people really are bullying us. What else do you call that heavy pressure or refusal of service if I don’t want to have the X-rays? What? You can’t even clean my teeth without doing full mouth x-rays? REALLY???
I took my kids to the dentist today. After reading your post I requested no x-rays. The nurse told me that the dentist is required by law to take x-rays every six months. Does that sound right to you? The standard vest includes the thyroid guard but still. They kind of acted weird about the no fluoride before but never threatened to not provide services. They did tell me the do the whole mouth age 5, 10, 15. Is that what you are referring to?
That is not true .. you can always opt out. YOu probably have to sign something. So ridiculous these forced “preventative” treatments.
There are preventative for a reason. Do your research on why x-rays are needed. Or you could refuse them cause they are just so-called “preventative” and have to pay hundreds of dollars for that filling you’re going to need, 🙂
I personally do bite wings every 5 years and a whole mouth set of xrays every 10. That is what my Dad did when we were young and what I have stuck with as an adult.
What do you do to prepare your body before you get the xray? Do you take anything after exposure? BioSuperfood or X-ray 200c?
Wow, I just had a dental cleaning today and I had to get lots of x-rays of my teeth. If I had only known sooner I would’ve definitely requested this. I go to a boarding school so whenever I come back home I usually have a lot of appointments. Today I had 3. In the dental examination, there was a large revolving x-ray machine that took x-rays and it’s done every 5 years… It felt weird as it swirled around my head. My pediatrician wanted to give my a 2nd shot of coccal meningitis, a booster of sorts to make sure that the 1st one worked. I refused. My mom also kept insisting (and told me that I read too much online) I get the shot, but at 17 years of age I’m glad that they didn’t try to hold me down and inject me. They were also persistent but in the end my doctor respected my wishes. I told her that I believed in holistic methods to prevent sickness and she used some twisted logic to explain how vaccines are holistic.
I had a CT at the beginning of last year… I can’t go back and change the fact that I have had vaccines and a lot of x-rays done to me, but I am living my life right now where I don’t take part in things I don’t believe in.
As a dental hygienist, I feel I’d like to add some information to this conversation. Yes, thyroid collars should be protocol. We only have aprons in our office that have the collar attached. Digital xrays have about 1/3 the amount of radiation as the standard fast film. That does help. In our office we do not take any xrays of children under the age of five unless we see something in the mouth that we are concerned about. We also hold off on films for most people for at least two years in between exposure. If people have a higher decay rate, we sometimes take the film within a year just to check to make sure they have the decay rate under control with proper diet and home care. For people who have never had a cavity in between their teeth (which is the area xrays are used to diagnose) we postpone the films even longer.
The xray machine that goes around your head does not diagnose decay well. This machine is useful for oral surgery and for orthodontia. I definitely would not see a dentist who used this panograph regularly because of the limited diagnostic abilities. They are expensive machines to buy and insurance does cover the pan every three years or so, depending on the policy. Because of this, many offices take them even though they don’t learn much from it. They do help in the diagnosis of cysts, tumors and abscesses. In our office we usually look for symptoms before taking any extra radiographs at all.
One other note, as a profession we hygienists often have the difficult task of carrying out the orders of a dentist even though they do not fall into the recommendations of the ADA. If you look at the ADA web site and click on xrays you will notice how infrequently they are recommended. This is a good tool for any patient…..bring this to the office next time and you have wonderful credibility.
As long as we are talking thyroid and dental health, if anyone has a compromised thyroid make sure you are not using fluoride products. Fluoride attaches to the iodine receptor sites in the thyroid. Hope this helps some people. Most of us in the profession really do try our best. Go in and tell your professional that you floss daily, brush after every meal and limit your sweets along with eating lots of vegetables and they may just be on the same page as you when it comes to limiting films and eliminating fluoride recommendations!
Thank you for this info. I go to a dental hygienist school for my cleanings because we don’t have dental insurance. I was told by the student I would need x-rays again, and I told her I had them done last year. She said something about doing bite wings every year. I’m just not comfortable with that. I haven’t even had a cavity in about 10 years, and my diet is way better now. Just seems like overkill to me.
If you go to the dentist version of the radiograph guidelines on the ADA website, an adult with no evidence of clinical decay and good diet should have xrays taken between 24-36 months. If you have not had a cavity in 10 years, I would go longer unless you have periodontal disease and are monitoring your bone level. Diet is so important! Limit snacks is my number one recommendation.
My friend had X-rays before she knew she was preg. While the baby was born “healthy” and full term, he is still very small for his age at 9. Interesting considering the study you cited.
Why do they make a thyroid guard if not to protect the thyroid?
I ALWAYS have to ask and have done so for years. They NEVER offer it up.
I really appreciate this post. I have been wondering for some time about the safety of dental x-rays. The last couple times I went to the dentist I chose not to have x-rays at all. Next time I will ask about thyroid guard. I never heard of it. I have a feeling my dentist doesn’t have it.