X - Rays at the dentist - are they ok?

[HelenCS]

Hiya,

Ive got the dentist this afternoon because my whole mouth feels so sore, been told by receptionist i may have to have x-rays but am not happy about having these as always thought you should avoid any type of x-ray during pregnancy.

Does anyone no if its safe to have them??

I don't think it is considered safe- make sure you tell them u are pg. I was asked last time I went. They will probably not do it.

Agree - don't think it's considered safe - tell them you're pg.

no you shouldn't have them.

Does the receptionist know you are pregnant? If not, she may be mentioning it as a metter of course.

X-rays can be taken, if they are completely necessary, the scatter from the radiation is SO small, smaller still if they are digital. They can protect you with a lead apron, if necc.

BUT it is best avoided. No dentist that I now of will routinely do them & they should ask before anyway. We had a policy of asking any female over X age.

But do mention it, because not only will they avoid them, it may help in the diagnosis!

Matter of course, no metter!

I had an dental x-ray during my current pregnancy. My dentist asked me first and then explained that the x-ray itself was tiny and the radiation would probably not even get near the baby, and she doubted it would do much harm even if it did as it would only be tiny amounts. Although I did only have the one, and I was about 20 weeks, I think...

I think it is different from when they used to x-ray your pelvis when you found out you were pregnant, which is what caused the whole x-ray scare originally. Apparently they did it to everyone, years ago, to see if the pelvis was adequate and then loads of babies got cancer.

My dentist didn't want to xray me during pregnancy, so I really wouldn't do it unless it was a matter of some urgency....

I have had a couple of dental X-rays during this pregnancy (pretty urgent as I was about to lose a front tooth- eek!).

My job involves knowing a bit about radiation exposure & risk and I was happy to have them- the radiation dose was small and not aimed anywhere near my belly. Unfortunately we're surrounded by radiation everywhere and you can't avoid it entirely, you wouldn't want to expose yourself un-necessarily but if you really need the X-rays and the dentist thinks they're OK for you it should be fine.