walkingtheline

My dentist says all is okay. I'm always covered from chin to knees with a leaded apron. But in the last 7 months I've had more than 50 dental xrays and will have more. Having thoughts of glowing in the dark...hahaha.

Does anyone know where the line is drawn...how many is too many??????

equus

It's only recently (within the last 10 years or so) that medical staff have left the room for an xray, they used to stand there all day and every day with no more than a lead apron on.

Vets that xray large livestock frequently do so 'in the field' where they have no means to remove themselves as they are the ones holding the lead in place - they do wear lead aprons though.

Lastly because you're female they would be more likely to be careful as women 'can' be pregnant without knowing it.

All that said - I haven't got a clue how they actually work so it might be worth googling 'xray risk' or seeking further reassurance from the dentist.

queenofthehwy

WTL,
I work for a dentist and I can't believe they have had to do that many xrays. Are you having root canals? PM me if you want and I can ask my dentist.
Mindi

walkingtheline

Queen, you've got mail! hahaha PM, anyway...and thanks!

EndOfRoadWife

I work for an MRI company and we get a lot of "repeat patients"..I do know that its dangerous if you are pregnant..I asked the MRI technologist that works here and he said it would depend on how much and how often..and that there is acute radiation syndrome which isn't good to get that much radiation in that area. If it is 50 x-rays within 7 months in the same area, he said that doesn't sound good..If you need anything further, I could ask one of the radiologists..

ahcb

Hey walking,

Prior to my root canal i asked her (DR) if 50 was a high number-she said it is a bit high HOWEVER, she could see circumstances where one would get that many- A full mouth is 26 (i think) add in problems etc she said it is very possible Not dangerous according to her...

best

When I get to work I could post you some facts and figures.

The x ray if done correctly isn't a problem. The body needs some x ray just to regenerate itself. zero x ray/radiation and the cells don't regenerate.
A flight from LA to NY can give you more radiation then a chest x ray.
dental x rays are even lower dose.

walkingtheline

You are all so terrific! I feel reassured.
This was the most I've ever had and it was beginning to make me wonder but I'm comparing it to the once-in-the-while needs of my past.

I will stop worrying about this!

Thanks everyone so much!

best

Dental x ray = 1 mrem

Jet plane travel 0.5 mrem per hour in the air
Watching TV/computer screens 1mrem annual
From foods we eat 40 mrem annual

200 mrem per month is said to be a acceptable level
400 mrem per month is said to be boardering a safe limit that should not be passed to many times.
360 per year is said to be about average that most people get from all sources.
5000 per year is an acceptable international standard for those who work around radioactive materials.

50 detal x rays would only give you 50 mrem total.

walkingtheline

Ok...now I really feel safe! hahaha

Thanks so much, I will no longer worry!