Question About Dental X-rays

No need for xrays. Let him get testy, you are Mom and you are right. It would be different if he needed to do a root canal. No problem = No xrays!

Let me add something I just read on Yahoo health news. Here is the link
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14182/whats-th...

The likelihood of a thyroid nodule being cancerous is greater in those who are less than 20 years old or who are older than 70. The risk of this cancer is also higher in individuals who had undergone radiation of the head and neck, once a common treatment for acne.

Gee, sign me up for some unnecessary Xrays!

Okay J., I am actually a dentist who works on mostly children. The reason your dentist is getting testy is because Xrays are part of the exam, not considered treatment. You can refuse treatment, but if you consent to an exam, that includes Xrays if possible. (the only reason that we can excuse not taking them is if the child is uncooperative, and then we have to document that, because we are still responsible) The radiation is a lower dose than you're getting sitting in front of this computer all day, so please don't worry about that. Finally, in order to see cavities between the molars, we can only see them in an Xray. By the time they are visible in the mouth, they are big enough to need a "baby root canal". Yes, these are baby teeth, but they need to be maintained until they fall out at the age of 11 or 12!! An untreated cavity can become quite a toothache for your little one by then.
By the way, I just took Xrays for the first time on a 5 year old who has been seeing me every 6 months since he was 2, great patient, well maintained, and we found 3 cavities back there. Believe me, I'm glad we get to do simple, quick appointments while the cavities are this small. Get the Xrays--you'll see it's no big deal and you & your dentist will both have peace of mind.

Did you know that poor oral health habits start in Childhood due to a lack of vigilance from the parent. Teaching good oral health is a parents responsiblity. Gingevitis and oral problems can lead to a lot of other health issues in adulthood such as heart disease etc. The radiation is very low, and if your dentist believes that your children need the x-rays you need to say ok. If their pediatrition suggested an x-ray would you tell him/her no? What if it could discover something that could potentially save your childs life later on? Tooth and gum care are more important than the general population know. It can provide a lot of information than you could ever believe. By your reasoning are we to deduct that your kids will not go on an airplane either? They are exposed to radiation that way too, and thats really unnecessary radiation as opposed to proper health care radiation...and at higher levels.

I too am a dentist and children make up about 35% of my practice. My general philosophy on x-rays for children is: In children with spaces between their baby teeth, I usually recommend waiting until the permanent teeth start coming in, UNLESS there is something of concern present clinically (i.e. cavities, teeth not in normal eruption alignment, teeth erupting late). If something seems abnormal or requires further investion, then radiographs are appropriate. The other respondents are correct in that the radiation doses are low, and that the radiographs help identify caries between teeth, but if the teeth have spacing, they can be viewed clinically on all sides, including the 'in-between.' For children with mixed adult and permanent teeth (likely your seven year old), the frequency of radiographs should be dependent upon the development of the dentition, the patient's diet and home care habits, and the history of cavities. For most people (children and adults), this may mean x-rays every 12 to 24 months, again dependent upon the criteria noted above. Obviously if something is questionable at a six-month evaluation, investigation with 'specific' x-rays as appropriate for the situation is warrented.

The decision for radiographs should be made based on review of the patient's clinical examination and patient's symptoms, and their dental history; taking bitewings at six-months intervals 'routinely' is not 'routinely' necessary.

The American Dental Association also has on its website, for public review, information regarding the necessity and frequency of radiographic evaluations which can be referenced. The ADA and FDA have established recommendations regarding radiographs. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/xrays.asp

Hi! I am also a Mom with two children. Both boys - one is almost 6 and the other just turned three. I have been in the dental field since August of 1985 and had to respond to your question. YES! Dental x-rays are VERY IMPORTANT! Equipment nowadays is SO MUCH BETTER than in the past. Your kids get exposed to much more radiation standing outside than they would EVER get with a single set of x-rays every one to two years. The reason they are so important is because the human eye cannot see tiny decay forming in between teeth. My advice: make sure you are going to a children's dentist. They have the smaller bite sticks that are easier for kids to handle. Start out with getting the x-rays every year and a half. If your children are not prone to cavities in between the teeth, tell your dentist you prefer getting them every two years. It will give you piece of mind. Fillings are less traumatic for children (if the decay gets really big they may need crowns or extractions).
Good luck! -B. M.

I've worked as a dental hygienist for 6 years, and I have worked in the dental field for 10. I've seen all too often that a parent will decline xrays b/c of $, or "just don't want them", or "my kid doesn't have cavities" attitude. It is near impossible to detect cavities between the teeth w/o the xrays. If it can actually be seen clinically (w/naked eye), then usually that cavity is already pretty big. Our office practice is to take bitewing xrays once a year (beginning at around age 5, or when the child's mouth is big enough) and the panoramic (goes around your head for one big xray) every 3-5 years. We detect and fill cavities while they're small, before they grow into bigger problems. I've seen kids go from zero cavities to 5 or 6 within a span of a year, just b/c of their diet. Kids that drink a lot of juice, soda, cool-aid, and even milk are more prone to interproximal (between the teeth) decay. If your children have dietary habits like those, then yeah, I would definitely get the bitewings taken every year. You may be surprised at what they show, or they may show nothing. It may give you peace at mind knowing that you did what's necessary to help prevent decay problems. Then, you can bump up to 1 1/2 years between xrays if your kids have healthy teeth. I wouldn't go beyond that.
Some parents think that just b/c the decay is on a "baby" tooth, that it doesn't need to be fixed or addressed. Some of those "baby" teeth may be in the mouth until 12/13 years old. They can cause damage to the permenant teeth below or become abcessed and cause your child a lot of unnecessary pain/discomfort.

As far as the radiation goes, now a days its so minimal that the amount they're exposed to isn't any more than what you'd get by being outside all day.

Not all dentists are out there to make a quick $. Without dental xrays, it is difficult to do a "complete" dental exam. Some dentists frown on the declining of xrays as an inability to provide the patient the best care. So they're looking out for you, as a patient, and for themselves too, as a liability issue. If you decline xrays and then come in a few months later with a major problem, the responsibility lies with the patient, b/c it couldn't be diagnosed due to the lack of proper xrays. It legally can't be the dentists fault.

Hope this helps...and good luck

I am not a dental professional. This being said, your child has one chance at one set of healthy teeth, these teeth have a life impact of everything from just being ugly and only effecting their self esteem, to causing other problems related to heart health, abiltiy to digest properly, eat a healthy diet, prevent possible alignment problems therefore possibly elimating future pain for them such as jaw trouble and headaches. Poorly or under cared for teeth and gums and bone can lead to stomach pain, later life painful dental procedures. Oh buy way the Mom(my Mom), thanks for preventing me from having these as I ended up getting 16 cavities and a root canal at the age of 12 and wearing braces for 7 years instead of maybe 18 months.

So I don't advocate more than once a year, but it is important to pick up problems before they are too big. Choose other ways to prevent your child being exposed to things that cause cancer and other diseases, eliminate putting their food in unsafe plastics, avoid using plastic as it doesn't break down well and will end up in their future drinking water, don't let them have water from plastic water bottles that have not been properly stored. Eliminate preservatives, artificial coloring, high fructose corn syrup, highly processed foods from their diet. Go green and healthier in other ways and then the 1 little xray won't make as much of an impact.

J. please follow through with the xrays. It is vital to the health of your children and anyone who tells you no, I feel sorry for their children.
I worked as a dental assistant for about 5 years and took most of the x-rays daily. I wore a sort of card that measured the radiation and it was so minimal. Yes I did step out for the most part, but I also stayed in with some of the kids to help them relax.
It is only one time a year and at that age only 2 or 4 bitewing x-rays. I worked in a pedo office, very sad to see the shape of the kids' teeth from bottle caries better known as cavities brought on by kids going to bed with bottles. We had to do baby root canals and place temporary crowns. Kids came in with so much pain, faces swollen, and they had to be placed on antibiotics for days before we could even work on them. Not only that, but it will show the dr if there are any problems with the way new teeth will/are coming in.
Your children are your main concern and their health should be number one.
Do the x-rays yearly and make sure your kids are free from hidden cavities and abcesses. Kids should start seeing a dentist at around 2 - 3 and should start brushing at the sign of their first tooth (moms should wipe their gums so the bacteria doesn't attack the teeth before they come in), even if it is just to get in the chair. Make it a fun and not scary time for them.

You should definately get the x-rays the dentist recommends. No dentist would do more than your child needs-it's safe and this will help the dentist see how the bone and adult teeth are developing. Started my daughter when she was 3. She is 8 now and doing just fine after yearly x-rays.

O.k. I'm not a dentist. However, I do know that there is such a thing as digital xrays that expose them to WAY less radiation. Those dentists are not as wide spread, but they are in the area. Secondly, there is a machine called a diagnodent which is used to determine how much decay is in a tooth and does not involve radiation. From your post, it seems that your dentist has given you no evidence to suspect any problems; in which case, it sounds like he's wanting to do the xrays as insurance. Even if your children do develop a cavity down the road, there are ways to stop the decay and remineralize the tooth back to health WITHOUT drilling and using anesthesia.

I'd join the yahoo groups: alternativekidsteeth and dentaladvice to get some alternatives to the xrays and possibly some recommendations for a different dentist that may take a more holistic approach. It sounds like this is a concern for you and you should not feel bullied into doing something you feel is wrong for your family. There will be many, many others that feel to the contrary; however, mainstream isn't always the best way.

Of course it's necessary. Especially since the baby teeth are still there. Where are the adult teeth? You'll never find out what happened without exrays. Dentists have exray blankets so as not to expose people to the negative rays. Trust your dentist or find one you do trust mommy.

J.,
I am a mom of three and a dental asst. of 13 yrs it is so important to get x-rays, the dentist can not see what is in between the teeth and cavities in baby teeth take off really fast so if we can get them before they come in the next time it will save your child a lot of stress, the bigger the cavity the longer the sitting time in the dental chair. If you are worried about exposure don't it is so minimum. Some parents think they are just baby teeth but the truth is they lay the foundation for the adult teeth. So not taking care of the baby teeth and for some reason they can't be filled and need to be taken out those spaces that aren not there any more can't hold a spot for the adult teeth to come in. If I can answer any other questions let me know. This is a common question among parents but after someone gets a little advice they usually change their mine.

Hope this helps.
V.

J.-Absolutely no x-rays!! If your dentist does not like it find another. Also-many doctors and dentists have switched and upgraded to digital x-rays are much better for the body...much much less radiation.

T.
Detox Coach

I have a good friend who is a dentist. She also has young children. She has told me that x-rays are necessary in order to see decay not visible to the eye, and gum and bone development/issues below the gumline. She recommends x-rays for my kids once a year. Any more than that is not necessary. She does that for her own little ones. We are exposed to radiation every day in our homes and if we fly in planes and things like that, which adds up to MUCH MORE than a once-a-year dental x-ray. Certainly you don't want to expose your kids to things that are not necessary, but dentists have a hard time keeping us teeth-healthy without x-rays. (Although your kids are little, you don't want your dentist to miss something by avoiding an x-ray and having major problems develop with teeth -- such as decay spreading from tooth to tooth and things like that.) Of course you're the mom and can make your own decisions. Your dentist shouldn't get testy -- but you shouldn't get testy with him/her for just doing his/her job.

J., I had questioned around about the same for myself and came to the conclusion that x-rays are useful for dental health, at least for an adult. That said, it still sounds like you could use a new dentist that respects your concerns by explaining why he/she thinks x-rays are important and will accept your decision even if it's not what he/she recommends.

Absolutely you can wait. I have an eight year old and she has never had x-rays. Stick to your guns about this and if the dentist is getting testy...find a new dentist!

Tell your dentist to take a hike, get another dentist sounds like this one needs a new car at the expense of your child.

I'm really glad that dentists, dental assistants, and spouses/family members of those who work in the field have weighed in to explain the necessity and rationale of x-rays. If I were you I'd trust the words of someone who has several years of extensive training in dentistry and medicine. Now, your dentist might not be so sensitive or approachable and if that makes you uncomfortable then perhaps you should find one that is a little less forceful - that 'holier than thou' attitude would irk me too!

My children have had dental x-rays at a young age but .... my son had visible signs of a few cavities in his baby teeth and has had concerns with his enamel. Plus...both of my children are definitely orthodontic candidates (currently one has braces). Unless, either of the two scenarios exist, any dentist who would get "testy" about your concerns sounds like it may be time to find a new dentist. As far as a few years before they have x-rays: Since they should be getting exams every year, I would re-evaluate it in a year. And...personally, my dentist is in Brookfield - been our family dentist for (wow!) 22 years. Good man! If you would like his name, just personal message me. Good luck.

When my daughter went for her kindergarten check-up, the dentist only took x-rays of her very back teeth to see in between them if there were cavities or not. They told me there was no reason to do a full mouth x-ray on children that young.

if you dont Feel right about it-Dont Do it. You have the right to all informed consent if you have any worries or concerns. Dental X-rays are low in radiation. today's X-ray equipment is able to eliminate unnecessary radiation and allows the dentist to focus the X-ray beam on a specific part of the mouth. High-speed film enables the dentist to reduce the amount of radiation the patient receives. A lead body apron or shield should be used to protect the genital/reproductive area and the thyroid gland. The X-rays allow the dentist to see more then cavities too-they show development, bone structure of the jaw, amount and density of the teeth infection and abnormalities you cannot see with a visual dental exam

My dentist is the same way. We compromise and only do them once a year instead of twice. From what I can gather they are only looking for cavities and jaw issues. We turned out fine and we didn't have them every 6 months.

I feel the same way about the x-rays, but 2 years ago the x-ray showed that my daughter had 2 cysts under her gums. This could have ended up badly if we did not have the x-rays, it could have turned cancerous, or just about anything. I just took both of my kids to the dentist 2 weeks ago, and again they had the z-ray's again I just thought the doc was looking for more $$$ but it turned out that the cyts were gone and everything is good! I alos know that it shows the development of all new teeth. So all & all the amount of radiation that they are getting is very small and worth what could of been. Idon't get why they want to fill a baby toothe that is going to fall out anyway, oput dentist charges anywhere from $165.00 & up to fill a tooth, depending on what tooth it is.

Hi J.,
You might feel better about the xrays knowing that the radiation a person receives from a FULL set of dental x-rays is about the same as what you'd get from flying between New York City and Denver, or an average daily exposure to sun and environmental rays. All in all, nothing your body can't handle.
Hope that helps!

Dear J.,

To do a complete evaluation of your children's oral health, it is usually advisable to take bitewing x-rays (no more than once a year). Children develop permanent molars between 6-7. There are other methods of checking for cavities, such as using a painless laser scanner. I have a general dentistry practice in Franklin Park. I write a dental column each month in an Italian-American newspaper the Fra Noi. Copies of my articles are available if you contact me at ###-###-####.

Sincerely,

Dr. D. R. Pietrini

X rays spot root problems. They also spot development problems that the eyes and hands cannot detect. My son has had to have x-rays since age 1.5. It is a very helpful tool for your dentist. This is not the fifties and sixties when x-ray was real dangerous. They use very little radiation and there is a protective shield used over your body. Worst part are the film in your mouth to take the pictures.