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
No local anesthetic on a pregnant person, that is!
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!
Thanks for this info, I had no idea!!
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.)
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 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.
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.
Thanks a lot for this great article! I also had thyroid problems, now I have a hint of the reason why…
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 for this – I declined xrays at our last visit and felt kind of silly. Now I don’t.