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
XaHP: The X-rays and Health Project
ratical.org/radiation/CNR/XHP/index.html
Dental x-ray are deadly!
•Gray 1998a (Sept), Joel E. “Lower Radiation Exposure” Improves Patient Safety,” in Diagnostic Imaging Vol.20, No.9:” 61-64.
•Gray 1998b (Oct), Joel E. “Optimize X-Ray Systems to” Minimize Radiation Dose,” Diagnostic Imaging Vol.20, No.10:” 62-70.
•NCRP 1989. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, “Exposure of the U.S. Population from Diagnostic Medical Radiation.” Bethesda MD: NCRP Report 100. 105 pages. The NCRP is a nonprofit organization funded by various groups including the Amer. College of Radiology, Amer. Dental Assn., Amer. Medical Assn., Amer. Nuclear Society, Radiological Soc. of No. Amer., US Dept of Energy, US Nuclear Reg. Commission, and others.
•Shope 1997, Thomas B., “Proposed Fluoroscopic Amendments,” memo & letter March 18, 1997 to “Fluoroscopic X-Ray System Manufacturers, Users, and Other Interested Parties,” from T.B. Shope, U.S. Public Health Service, Ctr. for Devices and Radiological Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, HFZ-140, Rockville MD 20857.
•Taylor 1979, Kenneth W. et al, “Variations in X-Ray Exposures to Patients,” Journal of the Canadian Assn. of Radiologists Vol.30: 6-11.
•Taylor 1983, Kenneth W. “Diagnostic Radiology.” Chapter 16 in The Physics of Radiology, Fourth Edition, edited by H.E. Johns and J.R. Cunningham. Springfield IL: Charles C. Thomas, publisher.
•UNSCEAR 1993. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: 1993 Report with Scientific Annexes. ISBN 92-1-142200-0. 922 pages.
•Wochos 1977, J.F. et al, “Patient Exposure from Diagnostic X-Rays: An Analysis of 1972-1979 NEXT Data,” U.S. Food and Drug Admin., Dept. of Health, Educ. & Welfare, HEW Publication 77-8020.
•Wochos 1979, J.F. et al, “Patient Exposure from Diagnostic X-Rays: An Analysis of the 1972-1975 NEXT Data,” Health Physics Vol.36: 127-134.
•XaHP Document 103, Variation. Gofman and O’Connor, “How X-Ray Doses Vary from One Practitioner to Another: Nationwide Surveys,” X-rays and Health Project, POB 421993, San Francisco CA 94142-1993.
•XaHP Document 104, Techniques. Gofman and O’Connor, “Techniques for Reducing X-Ray Doses to Patients and Staff,” X-rays and Health Project, POB 421993, San Francisco CA 94142-1993.
Hi,
I’m so stressed & worried. I recently saw an orthodontist/TMJ specialist who was seeing me to make a special mouth appliance to adjust my jaw and bite. The first visit the stupid tech took a full panoramic of my jaw. She did it wrong and it had to be repeated. I’m so worried about the amount of radiation I was exposed to, especially having it repeated! Should I be worried about cancer? I’m due for a mammogram and I cancelled it due to the amount of radiation I recently received. Can anyone shed light if I should be really concerned? Thanks!
Most x-rays absorb by the thyroid Is through scattered radiation which nothing can stop..with modern dental x-rays. The lead apron is a PR device.
This is really an important article on Hidden Dental X-ray Danger. Thank you very much for sharing such an important health danger. Here you wrote in detail about the effect of X-ray. Here I agree with you that if dental x-ray is harmless, why they put a big lead suit over the patient and the technician? I am happy to read such a nice writing.
We are trained for several years. We follow rules for x-rays, ALARA being one of them. But since you are all so smart, you must already know that. If you go to your doctors, you should trust them. If you don’t then simply find someone you do. But when something is recommended it is for your best interest. A dental x-ray is extremely focused, the collimator used in dental x-rays keeps it in a small circular focused field. Our x-ray units are tested by physicist when they are installed to ensure that there is minimal scatter radiation. Our exposure time for dental x-rays is less than 1/10th of a second. 0.25 microsieverts, To put this into perspective for you the flat screen that you are staring out right now reading this is giving off 10 microseiverts an hour. The air you breath in a year 2000 microseiverts. The truth is 60% of children have dental decay by age 3, 80% by age 6 defined as at least one area of decay. I see adults all the time as well who have great diets, but tons of cavities. The truth is you can have a wonderful diet, but most people are naive to what sugar or acid is in the food they eat. Fruit being one of them. Great for the body, terrible for your teeth. Remember the millions of people whose lives are saved by dental x-rays. We often catch tumors or jaw eating cyst on our x-rays that would otherwise become metastatic before chew through the jaw bone before you noticed there was an issue. Whatever you do, please do not google some stuff, half of it is bullshit like this article, and go to the doctor with your PHD in googleology and insist that you be treated the way you want to be treated. If we did this you would end up in a world of pain. Not to say that your inclinations dont sometimes help us establish a diagnosis, but we rely on actual scientifically proven methods and evidence to diagnose.
to fritz: first off the training you may have had here in america USED to be state of the art, nowadays given the state of the health system here where EVERYTHING is for profit, i strongly doubt it. i also doubt that what ever the ‘doctors’ prescribe is for the patient’s good: most of the times it is not, it for profit. i have md doctors and lawyers in my family, albeit in europe. i ‘know’ a thing or two. you may also argue the gmos foods are ‘safe’ and good for us… they are still banned in europe…
here in america pretty much every doctor (probably like yourself and given your comments) assumes that the patient is ignorant and completely in the dark about medical and safety issues; not so was the case in europe where you do have basic teaching about medical issues and hygiene starting in middle school and on into high school, regardless of whether you will choose a medical profession. here we don’t want that, that would give too much power to the patient, who is left to blindly ‘trust’ whomever sports an md sign over their heads.
i have been in this country for over 25 yrs, and still have to find an md i can trust; luckily and so far i am doing ok health-wise, mostly because i stay away from ‘doctors’ and hospitals, don’t inject myself with all your drugs or pop any pills. all your ‘science’ is often misguided, and no, i do not need to have a phd to know some facts, be informed or knowledgable.
Enjoyed your comments on dental x-rays. Here is some more important information.
If you have Parkinson’s Disease, DO NOT get a dental x-ray. The danger of killing more dopamine producing neurons is far too great.
Giving dental x-rays to Parkinson patients is not good dentistry. Rather, it is nothing short of r reckless dentistry. Many dentists will argue that x-rays are required for a specific “Level of Care”. This so-called “Level of Care” is set by the state’s Board of Dentistry, who have a decided mission to support the income of member dentists.
I have experienced dentists and dental hygienists literally engage in intimidation of patients to be able to take x-rays. Even when the patient has no dental problems. If dentists are concerned about liability (which they claim) they should consider the liability they would face if they worsened the condition of a Parkinson’s patient.
Several studies have positively linked dental x-rays as a causal factor for meningioma brain tumors. The authors of these studies recommend that dental x-rays not be given more often than once every three years; and this is for healthy non-Parkinson patients.
Additionally, if dental x-rays are so benign as dentists argue, then why do dental hygienists go into the next room when taking x-rays? Probably because the effect of x-rays is accumulative. If you have received dental x-rays every year there is a possibility that this has exasperated your Parkinson’s condition. There is also an argument that the dental x-rays you’ve received in the past may be responsible for your Parkinson’s Disease today.
So far there have not been any studies positively linking dental x-rays to Parkinson’s Disease. However, radiation kills cells. It is a very short step in logic to link dental x-rays with Parkinson’s; and literally irresponsible to claim that there is no relationship.
Is fluoride bad fot thyroid even when applied to surface of tooth and gums?
I have a bad thyroid gland (hypothyroid) and hydrocephalus (water on the brain) from excessive x-rays before it was widely known that not all x-rays are good (in 1956) plus an average number of x=rays during the rest of my 65 years …NEVER AGAIN.
How longCAN YOU REFUSE X-RAYS BEFORE YOUR DENTIST TELLS YOU TO GO TO HELL?
Explanation about huge amount of X-rays.
In many cases dentist can avoid X-rays. But if they have a complaint (i.e. via no win no fee law company) it is major point to prove that they are professionals. And it is strongly recommended by GDC and dentist’s protective organization.
No one is interested about how many times you are X-rayed.
If the dentist misses to represent such radiograph before and after the treatment and you complain (i.e. via no win no fee law company), he/she will receive huge increase of insurance (i.e. six times -£18 000, than normal- £3 000) without any explanation. And no one will be interested about the enslaving consequences for the dentist. If he/she have not accepted ‘proposal’ he/she will lose rights to work like dentist.
Base of accusation is General Dental Cancel’s Code of practice with 160 things to do and remember during the treatment. Approved document to feel after the treatment mentions only medical history and X-ray. Other is blank sheet of paper.
The last explain to me why when I have visited the doctor he/she speaks mainly with the computer. They are busy to feel and check evidences for future trial.
Topic is huge but shortly the system has not work for the dentists (i.e. need to be a robot to remember in time 160 compulsory points during the treatment) or patients (i.e. It is so easy for the dentist to cover the incompetence with right notices.).
It works only for lawyers and insurers (Good money for nearly nothing, from the government and the dentists).
I am not a dentist and you cannot believe me, but you can do your own checks.
And to mention I have 15 treated tooth (from 28) in good conditions and only one dental X-ray in my life (50).
who is your dentist? I wish all dentists could do what they do without x-rays. Mostly I just want the plaque scraped from my teeth… Twice a year–it’s already paid for.