Berkeley Parents Network: Dental X-Rays

Berkeley Parents Network

Dental X-Rays

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Health > Dental X-Rays

Dentist says 8-year-old should have x-rays

June 2007

I tend to follow most Western medicine recommendations, but I have a problem with the 'need' to take dental x-rays of kids starting at age 5. I just can't see that it's so safe to expose the kids to any radiation, and I guess I'm wondering whether the benefit is worth the cost. However, it's now common dental practice and at my child's most recent check-up, the dentist told me he would not provide care to my child anymore if I didn't get the dental x-ray. My child is now 8. The dentist also said he doubted I would find any dentist who would agree to provide care. Is this true? Is everyone out there getting dental x-rays, or are there dentists who will provide cleaning and check-ups w/o these? My child has never had a cavity or other dental problem. Thanks. anon

My daughter had a bad cough recently and her pediatrician recommended a chest xray. When I asked about radiation exposure she said the radiation exposure my daughter would get from a cross country airplane trip was 20x the radiation exposure she would get from an xray. I personally feel a little less paranoid about xrays after hearing that (but slightly more worried about plane travel!)

I have two dentists in the family. They're too busy to be trying to scam insurance companies. I'd go ahead with an xray. AG

One thing to keep in mind: a few cross-country airline flights (not sure of the exact number -- maybe 2 roundtrip trips?) and you will have exposed your kid to more radiation than an x-ray. Radiation is all around us in our modern world, and a dental x-ray is not all that high a dose. And it does serve a purpose -- it helps the dentist know what's going on under the gums. anon

Dental x-rays don't actually emit much radiation compared to other everyday sources of naturally-occurring radioactive materials. Here's one source of information: http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/dental.htm and you can google for plenty of others.

Dental x-rays at age 5 are important because it gives the dentist information not only about potential cavities between teeth that are not visible, but also shows the emerging permanent teeth. It's good to know whether teeth are missing or crowding will be a problem.

That said, I'm sure you can find a dentist that will treat your kids without x-rays. I'm just posting to make sure you have all the facts before you worry yourself needlessly. science mama

I don't know if you can find any dentists who will treat your child without doing x-rays, there may be some out there. However, no dentist can evaluate the development of permanent teeth, jaw growth and the health of the baby teeth without x-rays. You may not be aware that the x irradiation dose in a dental series is less than your child gets by being in the sun for a day. Sun blocks do not block x-radiation.

You take your child to the dentist because you are concerned for the health of his teeth. My recommendation is that you allow the dentist to properly care for him per his expertise and recommendations. Elizabeth

try a dentist from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT): http://www.iaomt.org/

my kids are still younger (and as yet not xrayed), so no personal experience, but i know that ''Biological Dentists'' seek to limit harm, and do a lot of removel of mercury amalgam fillings. they'd be your best bet to find a dentist who understands wanting to limit harm to your kids. and you could try mothering magazine's dental forum for the ''crunchy'' outlook on dental concerns: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=308 concerned about xrays, too.

Do kids really need mouth x-rays?

Jan 2005

Most dentists seem to recommend dental x-ray for my kids every one to two years. That sounds like a lot of radiation to me especially when they are done as routine and not because of any specific reasons. I am seeing several doctors myself due to a benign tumor on one of my salivary glands. In each case, I was asked whether I had extensive dental x-ray or other radiation therapy done in the vicinity of my tumor. That reinforces my suspicion that routine dental x-ray is not that good for you. I would like to hear more opinions. I wonder if most dentists do routine dental x-ray on their own children this frequently. anon

My (adult) dentist has begun using phosphorescent storage plates instead of standard X-ray film. It's a new technology that only requires a tiny fraction of the radiation that is used to shoot a standard X-ray. I don't know which pediatric dentists are using this system, but if you're concerned it might be worth checking around. heidi

every time I have taken my 5 year old to the dentist, they insist on taking x-rays of her mouth. Each time, I have refused. The last time I took her the dentist told me they were necessary to see if there were any problems with her adult teeth forming. I asked her what could be done about it at this point and she said she would refer me to a specialist to 'monitor' my daughter's progress. The whole thing sounds like an insurance rip off to me, so I have changed dentists. no more radiation!

I am a dentist, and also a mom. X-rays are helpful in detecting cavities in between the teeth (which we cannnot see physically), and for checking any abnormalities in the bone (ie- permanent teeth coming in crooked, cysts, etc.) When I see a young patient (4-6yr), I'll take 1 X-ray each of the top & bottom teeth to make sure that the permanent teeth are there and on their way to coming in, and for cavities. Then I would also take 2 bitewing X-rays(one on each side) of the back teeth to check for cavities, and position of permanent teeth. Then depending on the cavity rate, I would repeat the X-rays every 1 or 1.5 yr. Cavities can occur & spread quickly in baby teeth, and it's important to catch them in the initial stages. It's all part of doing a complete & thorough exam for the patient. After all, baby teeth are real important to help the kids eat & grow, and maintain space in the mouth for permanent teeth to erupt to avoid braces later on. It's not good to lose baby teeth. By the way, the first dental visit should be no later than 3-yr old. Linh

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