Thread: Are x-rays a concern, long-term?

Say you get a couple of x-rays done at the dentist once every two months. Should there be any concern for DNA damage because ionizing radiation (x rays) causes ring opening, fragmentation of bases, and break in the back-bone of nucleic acids...?

The currently accepted model for radiation effects on humans is called the linear no threshold model. By this model, any ionizing radiation has some chance of causing cancer. Whether you should be worried about it is another matter. It is a small effect in comparison to the radiation background and other non-radiation risks we live with.

Why would you need an x-ray every two months? That seems unnecessary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_no-threshold_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_hormesis
http://mightylib.mit.edu/Course%20Ma...20exposure.pdf

I had jaw surgery done and I was getting x-rays every few months. I was a bit concerned because I also work around radiation, but in general the risk is low, but unsettling.

Although the risk increases with exposure, the body does have a repair mechanism for DNA. this is why the risk from a large single exposure is much more risky than intermittant low level exposures.

Originally Posted by Harold14370

The currently accepted model for radiation effects on humans is called the linear no threshold model. By this model, any ionizing radiation has some chance of causing cancer. Whether you should be worried about it is another matter. It is a small effect in comparison to the radiation background and other non-radiation risks we live with.

Why would you need an x-ray every two months? That seems unnecessary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_no-threshold_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_hormesis
http://mightylib.mit.edu/Course%20Ma...20exposure.pdf

It is just what my dentist does routinely, I guess to check for carries, every 2-3 months. I can seriously feel the DNA damage every time she does an xray.

Originally Posted by Dkav

It is just what my dentist does routinely, I guess to check for carries, every 2-3 months. I can seriously feel the DNA damage every time she does an xray.

I think your dentist must have a new x-ray machine that she is trying to pay for by billing your insurance company. I wouldn't let her do it, unless you have some unusual condition that is causing your teeth to rot out.

What really bugs me lately is that most dentist have switched over to digital x-ray technology, yet they are still charging the same rates for x-rays as the film ones. Despite lower operating cost, essentially same cost of equipment, and less labour required (no more developing the x-rays manually). The bastards.

Originally Posted by Harold14370

Originally Posted by Dkav

It is just what my dentist does routinely, I guess to check for carries, every 2-3 months. I can seriously feel the DNA damage every time she does an xray.

I think your dentist must have a new x-ray machine that she is trying to pay for by billing your insurance company. I wouldn't let her do it, unless you have some unusual condition that is causing your teeth to rot out.

I am prone to cavities because i like candy lol. But I told her that I don't like that many xrays and she keeps telling me that it really is not that bad for you compared to the benefits.