To not let the dentist xray DD at a check up?

[SoSoMamanBebe]

She's 6 and had an xray 6 months ago at the same dentists as she was claiming a sore tooth (twas a school avoidance ruse!).

The assistant got cross with me this time when I had refused, explaining that if the dentist needed to see something more clearly then perhaps, but certainly not as a default. She mumbled something about 'digital' not radiation and then got the dentist.

Then the dentist came in did a rapid check, said 'All fine, see her in 6months, when she WILL need an xray' and walked out. Not entirely making me want to take DD back.

Do dentists need to xray children every six months and is there any reason to think this could harm them?

If you don't have the x-ray and the dentist misses something important it will be your daughter who's left in pain and possibly having to have more severe treatment.

Why don't you want her to have it, exactly?

Digital radiography (if that's what they're using) reduces x ray exposure by about 80-85%. And they are necessary for some patients.

IIRC the amount of radiation emitted by dental x-ray machine is miniscule so I wouldn't worry about that.

But no, I haven't heard of routine x-rays- all the dentists I or my DC have been to have taken them only if they discovered a cavity and wanted to ascertain the extent of it.

Did they even tell you why she needs it?

Presumably she wears a lead apron?

YABU.
www.radiologyinfo.org/en/pdf/sfty_xray.pdf

Radiation dose from a dental X-ray is comparable to the natural background radiation we are exposed to in one day.

You should explain your concerns to the dentist.

I've been taking my 6 year old dd to the dentist every 6 months since she was one and she's never had to have an x ray. Sounds a bit OTT to me.

Different people, different teeth, different problems princessnumber2.

Don't ever visit Aberdeen

Dentists seem a lot keener on regular x-rays these days. It never used to be done. I went through my childhood without one and a fair bit of my adult life. Now it seems to be a yearly thing.

DD has never had it done. She hates dentists and to be honest I think it would flip her over the edge. I hate having it done, the thing in my mouth makes me want to gag and is very uncomfortable.

Depends on the dentist mine does regular xrays both when kids where little and still does them for myself every year or 2

Meant to say our dentist has never suggested it for her and she's 11 now.

If she is complaining of a sore tooth they will want to X ray it, it's not a. 'routine' thing that will happen every 6 months.

Ds1 had X-rays at both his last dentist appointments. There was some concern about his front baby tooth (grey after he'd bashed it) and whether it had affected the growth of the adult tooth in the gum. Needed an X-ray since the adult tooth still due to make an appearance.

I don't see the problem OP. Why won't you let your daughter have an Xray? it's in her interests.

Unless you can back it up with a strong and scientifically proven argument, then I think you are just setting her a bad example. You are saying you might not take her back because the dentist is doing something you don't want to, so running away to another dentist is the answer?

Showing your daughter you don't have to follow medical advice?

You are even asking IF there is any reason it may be harmful which tells us you don't even know your facts!

YABU for all of the above reasons.

I never used to have an x-ray as standard, but my old dentist sold her practise a year or so back and the new one insists on x-raying each check up.

Seems excessive to me, but I'm told that if I don't have an x-ray, I can look for another dentist...........which I am doing.

I've only had them in the pst if there's been a problem, not going to start having them just for the heck of it now.

Sorry, to clarify, she said she had a sore tooth six months ago, had an xray and nothing wrong. She then admitted it was to try to getout of school. This was just a six monthly check and she's had no issues since.

Integer thank you for the info.

7to25 is that a lifestyle motto?

Ds is 13 and has never had an xray.

I'm 51 and have only had two, both for abcesses.

We both have six monthly check ups and xrays have never been suggested unless there's been a problem.

My dentist has given me two x-rays (digital) in the last year and they really were necessary to see what was going on inside the gum and at the roots of the teeth that were causing problems.

I wouldn't have thought anything of it if it were a hospital x-ray (much higher dose) on a possibly broken leg. Teeth are important and my dentist uses the best tools to do her job. She doesn't x-ray as a matter of course.

I wouldn't submit myself or my children to x-rays as 'routine'.

SoSo

Aberdeen - the Granite City.

YouOldSlag - my reasons for questioning are a) for health reasons and as I was caught on the hop and wasn't expecting it I wanted to know more about radiation risks and b) the dentist is private and I suspect it's a money spinner.

TBH, teaching a child to stand up for their rights and to be informed is a better life lesson. If it turns out that this is the best course of action, then another xray is fine. I just needed to know more.

My dentist is private. I don't think it signifies in this regard.

cozietosie say no more!

in regards to the granite city!