Can routine dental x-rays cause brain tumors? According to a new study, frequent exposure to ionizing radiation found in these diagnostic tools seems to raise the risk for a type of brain tumor known as a meningioma. The research, published in Cancer, suggests that undergoing frequent x-rays may present an unnecessary risk for patients.
Meningiomas are the most commonly diagnosed tumor in the head, found in tissues overlaying the brain. Although most are noncancerous, those in certain locations can cause blindness or other serious neurological dysfunction, such as hearing loss and memory loss, as well as seizures and frequent headaches.
Lead author, Elizabeth Claus, asserts the results should not prevent people from visiting the dentist, however, she cautions against exceeding the recommended guidelines for x-rays, WebMD reports. For healthy adults, the FDA advises dental x-rays every two to three years rather than every year. The recommended interval for children without cavities is once every one to two years.
Earlier small studies suggest an association between cumulative x-ray exposure and meningiomas, but the results were not definitive. In the current research, which is the largest to explore the issue, participants who reported they had “bitewing” x-rays at least once a year were ascertained to have a 40 to 90 percent higher risk of meningiomas.
Another culprit proved to be panorex exams, which are images of all the teeth on one film. Participants who experienced this type of x-ray when they were under 10 years old were found to have a 4.9 tomes higher risk of developing meningiomas.
Keith Black, director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, opines that the current threshold for ordering x-rays is too low, CNN Health notes. He explains dentists often mandate them as part of an annual exam even though they are not needed for a procedure. Black hopes dentists will take heed to the study’s findings and exercise prudence in using this diagnostic tool.
Hamptonroads.com provides some general guidelines for dental patients. It is best to limit the exposure to dental x-rays as much as is deemed safe. While dentists use a chest guard jacket over you during these procedures, also request a thyroid protector to safeguard your neck. When your dentist order x-rays, question if they are really needed and ask if there is an alternative method available for diagnosing the problem. Bear in mind that some x-rays are necessary for good dental health.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20120410/dental-x-rays-linked-brain-tumors
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/10/brain-tumors-linked-to-dental-x-rays/
Mary West is a natural health enthusiast, as she believes this area can profoundly enhance wellness. She is the creator of a natural healing website where she focuses on solutions to health problems that work without side effects. You can visit her site and learn more at http://www.alternativemedicinetruth.com. Ms. West is also the author of Fight Cancer Through Powerful Natural Strategies.