Passing on routine dental xrays

[shanagirl]

I've never been on the dental thread before. I'm wondering what people here do in terms of xrays for their children. My dd is 10 and has only had 1 cavity in a baby tooth. For this reason, we just instinctively decided not to get dental x rays when she goes for check ups unless there was a problem such as tooth pain or something like that. And the dentist has been fine with that. But on a local health-related discussion board, I'm actually seeing people say that not getting regular xrays is negligent and that dentists are advised to dismiss patients who refuse them! Again, I'd allow x rays if necessary but not as a matter of a routine check up. Is that really so odd?

[alegna]

I'd allow them once in awhile- much less frequently than they WANT to do them if the child isn't having any problem. But they can be useful. And the new digital x-rays have a much lower exposure than the old ones did.

-Angela

[eirual]

I've only ever had 2-3 dental x-rays in my lifetime, I thought that was just normal. Turns out my mom had just asked us not to have them unless necessary.

I will deffinitely be opting out of routine x-rays for DS.

Those using the dental scare tacticts, absolute obedience to your dentist, etc. are likely the same moms who take that approach to everything- the FDA wouldn't approve something that's not safe, trust your doctor, etc. Turns out it's YOU who has to do the thinking afterall...

[dds07]

if the risk is low, bite wing x-rays really only need to be done about every 2-3 years. you can't see cavities between teeth without x-rays, and it is technically malpractice perform treatment (other than cleanings) on teeth without current x-rays.

i should add that the amount of radiation from 4 digital x-rays is roughly equivalent to 4 hours of background radiation (the same amount of radiation you'd get just being on earth for 4 hours)

[hipmummy]

Is it safe to get a full set while bfing?????? I have not gotten them in nine years. I have a cavity being filled on Thursday.
Sorry to bump.

[dds07]

Originally Posted by hipmummy

Is it safe to get a full set while bfing?????? I have not gotten them in nine years. I have a cavity being filled on Thursday.
Sorry to bump.

yes

[shanagirl]

Thanks dds. Is is really comparable, the 'background radiation' one is exposed to in the general atmosphere, versus the targeted radiation of x rays? From all the reading I've done, even pro-xray organizations add the caveat that the safe level of cumulative radiation exposure is not known.

And, if you find a cavity between teeth, what is the treatment? If it's between teeth and not bothering the child, would it typically be a wait and see thing?

I have read enough to pick up on the standard that dentists are considered negligent if they don't include xrays, but I'd like to understand the background of that better. I can understand the necessity of them when there is evidence of a problem. How did that whole 'negligence' charge become an issue in terms of regular check ups?

[dds07]

Originally Posted by shanagirl

Thanks dds. Is is really comparable, the 'background radiation' one is exposed to in the general atmosphere, versus the targeted radiation of x rays? From all the reading I've done, even pro-xray organizations add the caveat that the safe level of cumulative radiation exposure is not known.

what is comparable is the actual amount of millirems you are exposed to.

Originally Posted by shanagirl

And, if you find a cavity between teeth, what is the treatment? If it's between teeth and not bothering the child, would it typically be a wait and see thing??

Treatment depends on the size. Whether or not it is bothering the child is a very bad way to decide. By the time it is bothering the child, it has become very large and much more difficult to repair. Even if it is bothering the child,, it may only show up on an x-ray. You should definitely not wait until it is bothering the child. However, that doesn't mean that ANY lesion between the teeth should be treated. For incipient lesions (small lesions that have not yet penetrated the dentin) an attempt should be made to remineralize. As long as there is no frank cavitation (ie a hole you or the dentist can see), these can be treated very conservatively with "wait and see" and/or with fluoride, MI paste, increasing salivary flow (ie xylitol), etc. If there is frank cavitation, however, this is not appropriate.

Originally Posted by shanagirl

I have read enough to pick up on the standard that dentists are considered negligent if they don't include xrays, but I'd like to understand the background of that better. I can understand the necessity of them when there is evidence of a problem. How did that whole 'negligence' charge become an issue in terms of regular check ups?

As I wrote above, there can be problems that are not yet overtly visible. Problems that, by the time they become overtly visible are a huge problem with serious consequences. X-rays are also used to look for other pathology, not just cavities (like tumors, cysts, bone malformations, etc.) which are more common than many people realize. Similar to pap smears and other "routine" preventive screenings--it is much better to catch things early than to wait until there are symptoms--symptoms are a sign of advanced disease that has progressed far beyond what is easily treatable.

Hope that helps!!!

[Amydoula]

We don't ever do routine x-rays. Couldn't imagine exposing myself to radiation every six months like they would want you to. Knock on wood, DS has never had a cavity (he's 6.5) but if he would need one for that or something else legitimate I would allow it. We only get cleanings, I don't allow the flouride treatments either or the sealants (they contain BPA).