Re: How many Xrays?

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

Always, always ask them to cover your thyroid before you get dental x-rays!

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

@DiAnne wrote:
You don't need to worry about dental x-rays but when you get into CT's there is much more radiation involved. I would not have any more of those than is absolutely necessary.

My Favorite Breed is Adopted

@DiAnne You are so right. I had to postpone a few tests and get one changed from a CT to a MRI because I was having so many CT's. I don't care what they say, CT scans are overused and pick up every tiny thing there is. Might be good in cases, but can also send you down the path of more unnecessary tests. And they are alot of radiation.

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

@DiAnne wrote:
You don't need to worry about dental x-rays but when you get into CT's there is much more radiation involved. I would not have any more of those than is absolutely necessary.

My Favorite Breed is Adopted

DiAnne,

My favorite breed is adopted also. Love my shelter kitty even though he's naughty at times. I always ask him who rescued whom. He such a love.

You are very right about the CT's. I have a mass in my lung (non-malignant). When it was discovered on a routine chest x-ray, I was put through every test known to man. I had a PET scan which, thankfully, did not light up. Then, I had a CAT scan every six months for 2 years and then once a year for 3 years. They kept checking to see if it grew or changed shape. All was fine but I said the radiation will kill me. I told my doctor that I glow in the dark and while he laughed he did say I've had more than enough x-rays and to avoid those that are not absoutely necessary. I went to a new dentist who took x-rays. I go back in August for my 6 month cleaning and check up but will refuse x-rays. I never have cavities so why expose myself to unnecessary x-rays. If he should see a cavity with his naked eye, he can fill it, but NO x-rays for me. Of course, every year is the mammo and I get the 3-D, which I heard has more radiation than the regular mammo.

I just turned 70 but am extremely active and still work as a substitute teacher so I want to do whatever I can to preserve my health. docsgirl

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

It's not a silly question. That's a good question for your doctor. But as far as I know modern xray equipment doesn't give out much radiation at all. And since they stopped doing routine chest xrays and most of us only get xrays when there is something very wrong that requires imaging; I don't believe there's much, if any risk. It's not something I even think about. Xray techs and dentists etc wear lead protection because they are exposed to xrays all day, everyday, for their entire careers.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

They say they are safe but who really knows. I don't do any unecessary x-rays. I have had 2 or 3 chest x-rays in my life, x-rays of my broken ankle, mammograms which I don't do every year, No CT's. I won't let them x-ray my teeth at the dentist unless there is something they need to see or a problem I'm having with an area. They don't like not being able to charge my Ins Co. & have done so even though I did not have the x-rays. They keep saying it's been x amt of yrs & I say I don't care. They also try to get me to let them do that x-ray that goes all the way around your head. Not happening so quit asking. I told DH not to let them x-ray his teeth all the time either. They also say you don't need that lead mat they throw over you any longer. I make them use it if I have to have an x-ray. There is no reason to have x-rays of your teeth every 6 mos or once per yr IMO. It's a money maker for the dentist.

Daisy Sunflower · ‎10-26-2010

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

I just changed dentists after 30 years with the same guy who did nothing for me other than look in my mouth and tell everything looks good. One month later I had a root canal with all sorts of complications so I thought I need a dentist who is more proactive. My new dentist had his tech take a boat load of dental xrays and I just had a full set taken the year before. They said my prior dentist didn't send them adequate xrays and they needed more. I don't care what they say all those xrays can't be good.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

@DiAnne wrote:
You don't need to worry about dental x-rays but when you get into CT's there is much more radiation involved. I would not have any more of those than is absolutely necessary.

My Favorite Breed is Adopted

Just wanted to emphasize the importance of avoiding CT scans if at all possible. Each CT scan delivers radiation equivalent to several hundred x-rays. Repeated CT scans over time greatly increases one's risk of developing cancer.

In most cases, an MRI, which uses a benign magnetic field, can be used for diagnostic purposes instead of a CT scan, however, a CT scan may be necessary in some cases. Unfortunately, too many doctors will prescribe the CT scan because it is much less expensive than an MRI, but everyone should request the MRI first.