The surprising and very serious dental x-ray danger that is easy to solve with one request at your dentist visit by using a thyroid guard.
I don’t get dental x-rays very often, certainly not every six months like most dentists seem to recommend even for children. I don’t buy the argument that “you get more radiation walking to your car than what you get from this digital x-ray machine.”
Doesn’t that sound like the hollow argument the TSA uses that you will get more radiation from the airplane flight itself than from the naked body scanners?
Oh, is that why there is a cancer cluster among TSA agents in Boston and why Europe has outright banned them then?
Oops, sorry. Off on a bit of a mental tangent. Back to the dental x-rays.
If dental x-rays were so harmless, why do they put a big lead suit over you and the technician is sure to step out of the room when 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 (can we say electromagnetic spectrum?). You can’t compare the radiation from the sun with the radiation from an x-ray machine that takes pictures of your bones.
Completely different forms of radiation!
That being said, sometimes you really do need to get dental x-rays for whatever reason.
If you find yourself in a situation where dental x-rays are needed, be sure to insist that you or your child are given a thyroid guard when the x-rays are taken.
In the picture above, you will see that the child has a lead suit over his body in preparation for the dental x-rays, but where oh 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.
Oh, and I know. Snopes states that this claim is ridiculous. Who crowned Snopes the King of rumor control anyway?
Snopes is for dopes in my opinion. Snopes has no credibility given its constant defense of the food industry and Big Pharma. I wouldn’t be surprised if Snopes is somehow in the food or drug industry’s pocket in some form.
Dental X-Rays a Risk to the Thyroid
Studies have shown that women who are pregnant and have dental x-rays are at a 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 and triple the risk of having an underweight baby born full term.
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 but 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 That 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 – never a mammogram!
Even Dr. Oz warns that repeated dental x-rays and mammograms can possibly contribute to an increase in thryoid cancer and that wearing one would be a wise move.
What’s it going to hurt to wear one, after all? There is absolutely no downside to this extra safety precaution.
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 on Your Child?
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 and does phone consults for those who don’t live close enough for an office visit. Be sure to tell Dr. Litano that The Healthy Home Economist sent you and get 10% off your first visit!
References
(1) Dental X-Rays Might Lead to Smaller Babies
(2) Repeated Dental Xrays without Neck Shielding Predispose to Thyroid Cancer
Why Can’t All Schools Do This?
Do you need one even when you get digital x-rays?
YES.
The x-ray industry has been around a long time. Adolf Hitler’s regime had “scientists” performing all sorts of experiments on Jewish people before, during and/or after they were killed. Hopefully nobody says the x-rays are harmless. I’d like to see the dental insurance industry demand fewer, not more x-rays, be they digital or otherwise. An x-ray is an x-ray is an x-ray is RADIATION.
Madame Curie died a horrible death, and she sort of “invented” radiation…If you are old enough to know better, why would you subject your body systems to x-rays
I’m confused. I was able to avoid x-rays the last two times I went to the dentist–that was 3 years ago, because they told me I would have to get full mouth digital x-rays. Oh, hell no. And I haven’t been back since. SHAME ON THE DENTAL INDUSTRY for insisting on routine x-rays.
I have thyroid problems, and I have hydrocephalus, and I believe both were caused by dental x-rays. For a specific suspicion, maybe let your dentist take a bite-wing x-ray, but the idea of routinely burning your innards for the sake of paying off a machine that cost them a lot of money–the road to hell is paved with dental x-ray machine salespersons and the dentists who buy and use and abuse those machines.
I had no idea that you should ask for a thyroid guard when getting xrays at the dentist. It makes sense. Thank you for your article!
Most people don’t and it is irresponsible for dentists to not use them routinely. It is sheer laziness on their part, in my opinion.
This is such a simple and easy thing to do, I cannot understand why it is not required procedure.
Well, a reduction in the number of thyroid cancers would mean less drug sales, surgeries, and income for the medical industry and the drug companies.
Oh yes, the only thing that makes the dopes at Snopes experts in anything is their own marketing. They are just a husband and wife team who used to work as reporters.
…and a very liberal couple I have “heard”.
What does being liberal have to do with it?
I eat a lot of fiber, and I fancy myself conservative…I think everybody is full of crap. (:–)
I had a dental x-ray done at least twice a year for most of my childhood. I shudder to think of what the long-term health consequences might be. Indeed, your thyroid is delicate and the medical establishment would be wiser to pay more attention to it.
The medical industry pays plenty of attention to it–thyroid cancer removal, I was shunted (Brain) for hydrocephalus–who knows what other innards are damaged or destroyed by dental x-rays…my mom used to be a dental hygienist, and now they say she has Alzheimers…but I think she doesn’t orient herself because she is deaf–maybe x-rays cause deafness as well…
Snopes and Quackwatch – same thing. I actually go on Quackwatch to research new remedies.
That is really clever Helen! Very lateral thinking. I love it!
Helen, that is a great idea! I will follow your lead.
Thanks to you both for liking my idea. Actually, it was EASY – everything I googled aways listed a Quackwatch entry. Of course, when they dissed everything I hold sacred (homeopathy – their #1 pet peeve)…….I knew I was onto something!
Homeopathy uses poison–but in minute quantities, generally, and all for the good. X-rays will give a suntan to all the body parts you want to expose.
Hmm. My husband is just about to graduate from dental school. I’ll have to ask him if he has learned anything about this.
I had to tell the lady and I pulled the cape up. She goes “Oh, yeah.” But no guard, just the cape. Hmm…
I hope that your cape is made of lead to protect you.
Snopes does not claim this is false, but rather offers opinions from both viewpoints. I agree with yours, but always like to know the other argument.
one reason I love my dentist -he is ok with minimal xrays and asks if I want one or if I want my kids to have one -we are usually only getting an xray every 3 or 4 years !! Will ask about the thyroid guard!
We refuse dental xrays unless absolutely necessary.
Me too…too little too late…they are much less radiation nowadays, but you still have to weigh the benefits vs. the harm to your brain and other neck and facial organs.
Thanks for this – I declined xrays at our last visit and felt kind of silly. Now I don’t.
Did you know that the essential oil Super Blue Yarrow can help get rid of any effects of radiation? (has to be used daily for a few days)? Yup. It’s one awesome oil.
Learn all you can about alternative care. We are in such desperate need of it.
Anne, How do you use this oil and where do you get it?
Thanks a lot for this great article! I also had thyroid problems, now I have a hint of the reason why…
Thanks for this information, Sarah. I never thought about it before, but then, there’s so very much to learn to protect ourselves these days! Now, though, I’m wondering, what about radiation and our brains? Shouldn’t we also be wearing a lead cap?
Good point! a lead cap should be standard operating procedure–you are very close to the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, and God knows what other glands, not to mention the brain so close to the damned xrays. On the other hand, severe tooth decay can cause brain damage as well.
I actually ended up not getting an appointment because of this issue. Most (actually all that were on my insurance) dentist won’t see you for a teeth cleaning unless you get an x-ray. Discrimination to me….
Even that I am pregnant didn’t make them change their rule. And they used the exact same comment: “You get more radiation when you walk to your car.” Maybe this is what the companies (that sell the x-ray machines) teach them. I am originally from Germany and the only time I ever had to have an x-ray is before they took out my wisdom teeth. Sarah, thank you for the article, I couldn’t agree more with you!
I visited the dentist while I was pregnant and it was THEIR policy NOT to xray pregnant women. Maybe you need a better dentist.
Where in creation can I get a better dentist? I use the Sonicare toothbrush, and the hygienist is constantly amazed at how clean and plaque-free my teeth are, But still–they want x-rays–55years ago, I had tons of xrays (at old-fashioned “lack of respect for radiation. I also eventually had my wisdom teeth out. Plus twice a year xrays for my teethcleaning exam. I have thyroid trouble–they haven’t called it cancer yet, but I have been on Synthroid (artificial thyroid hormone to treat slow-functioning thyroid) since 1980.
I have to beg for the thyroid collar–this dentist has one. F*^% the whole dental profession, and the insurance industry if they will not treat you without xrays. Sonicare twice above and twice below morning and night and to hell with all dentists. Of course use fluoride toothpaste, but your body doesn’t need the unnaturall fluoridated water. Of course, floss once per day as well.
I of course had two series of xrays for the wisdom teeth.
Since early childhood (in the days before they published that xrays can kill people and other living tissue) I must have had 50 dental xrays for bad teeth and per- and post-orthodontia and many root canals (before, during, after)–back in those days nobody said anything about the dangerous effects of xradiation.. I don’t spend a lot of time outside walking to my car.
and many CT scans of my head (because I have hydrocephalus.)
MRI scans are more informative anyway for hydrocephalus anyhow for the last 15 years
I understand that the negative effects of xrays are cumulative over a lifetime.
They say that they don’t know what caused my hydrocephalus (for which I was shunted 15 years ago), but I m better than 50% convinced that it was caused by xrays in my childhood….in adulthood i have had approximately 10 CT scans of my head–now the ophthalmol;ogist tells me that I have glaucoma–maybe there’s a connection…I a;lso have hypothyroidism–maybe there’s a connection…oh, there’s a connection, but the fricking insurance companies require CT scans before they will authorize the 8 times more expensive MRIs which yield better data anyway.
I just called my daughter, who’s on her way to the dentist, after looking at the first part of the article in the e-mail. I told her I hope she declines the x-rays, which this dentist allows, but needs the thing that goes over her thyroid if she does get it. Now that I’ve read the article, I sure hope she doesn’t get the x-rays or that they have a thyroid guard. I’d heard this before, but it’s a good reminder. Thank you.
I recently visited ER for severe dyhration. Iam a transplant patient and got strep and the noravirus.
After my chest was checked to see if I had congestion and it was completely clear, someone from x-ray showed up to take me for a chest X-ray. I said what for and completely refused it. Not one dr. Ever said 1 word. They do it even when there is no reason. I also refuse x- rays at the dentist unless I am having a issue. We have to be our own advocates no one else will. I had too many X-rays when I had my transplant. It’s time to stand up for our selves..
God bless you, Teresa, and God bless the person who gave you the gift of a transplant (as well as their family.)
Thanks for this info, I had no idea!!
Love my dentist who refuses to do x-rays on a pregnant lady, or even drill with local anesthetic. And he uses Huggins Protocol to remove mercury fillings… Everyone needs a dentist like mine, but I’m going to double-check on the thyroid guard :). Thanks!
P.S. I found him here: http://www.talkinternational.com/holistic-dentists/biological-dentist-global.html
He’s a keeper!
No local anesthetic on a pregnant person, that is!