Dental X-Rays Dangers. How Often is Safe?

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]

How Often is Safe for Dental X-rays?
Why Do Dentists Skip the Thyroid Guard?
Dental X-Rays a Risk to the Thyroid
Insist on a Thyroid Guard!
Need a Dentist Who Won’t Push X-rays?

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.

child in dental chair being exposed to x-rays without thyroid guard

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!