Refuse dental xrays?

leigh123

Hi All.

This bothers me. My teeth are in good condition but I like to get a regular cleaning. However, the dental office 'insists' that I get xrays every year or they won't clean my teeth. Other dental offices same. They assure me that it is such a low dose (then why the lead apron?) and I know that xrays are cumulative. If I had a bad tooth or pain, I can understand an xray on that tooth. When I go to my regular doctor, I don't get xrays of my bones or chest 'just to see' unless there is a problem.

My question is: is it possible to decline the xrays, that are taken with no particular indication in mind, and does the dental office have the right to force this on you in order to get a teeth cleaning?

MelissaDallas

I don't worry about it and have never seen dental xrays listed as a risk factor for breast cancer.

grammakathy

Leigh - this bothers me also. I see it as a way for their office to increase revenue at my expense and exposure. I've changed dentists and have tried to explain my concerns - but it hasn't helped. Hopefully someone will come up with some suggestions for us.

Moderators

Hi ladies! In the main Breastcancer.org site there is a related article that you may find interesting:

Radiation in Diagnostic Tests Increases Risk for Women With Abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 Genes

Best,

The Mods 

cp418

I refused yearly x-rays unless they could justify an issue seen with my teeth.  I will allow every other year.  I also insist on wearing a throat shield to cover my thyroid in addition to the apron shield.  After so many years of frequent dental x-rays, I have wondered if my hypothyroid was partially caused by it without throat protection.

vlnrph

Decades ago shoe stores actually had machines & took x-rays of people's feet to see how the fit was! I'm also not in favor of chiropractors who seem to like using their equipment frequently.

Every other year actually sounds reasonable for routine dental visits unless problems need to be assessed, as cp418 says. The throat shield is a good idea also...

Meow13

Maybe the x-rays are more about protecting their practice.