I know my dentist always wants me to do my regularly scheduled bitewings and x-rays not only of my teeth but of my kids teeth and they are only 7 and 11. I know this is to help me find things maybe he cannot see and I am not blaming my dentist – I love my dentist because he is very holistic. However, the x-rays are still a concern to me (although now digital are a better option). Mostly we just tell them we don’t want them because I am sure not going to choose to expose myself (or definitely not my small children) to radiation to the brain unless there is an extreme need. Of course we then have to sign a waiver and I often wonder if I made the right decision. Thankfully we do sign the waiver because if we did them as often as they are “routinely” required, we could have been increasing our chance of brain tumors by 2-5 times each and every time! To learn that getting bitewings or full panoramas may be associated with an increased risk of meningioma, the most common type of brain tumor is very disturbing to me. Even the American Dental Association is no longer recommending routine dental x-rays. I now know my decision is the right one. Check out this video for the shocking truth and maybe you will also think twice before doing those bitewings at your next dental appointment…
