By Michael F. Roizen, MD
Wondering what your smile says about your health? Take the new MouthAge Test!
1. Do you use high-speed film? You want your dentist to use faster E- or F-speed film for conventional dental x-rays. Older, slower D-speed film delivers about 50% more radiation, though it's still widely used. (Digital imaging is even better, but it's not common yet.) Always ask for a lead apron with a thyroid shield or collar. The thyroid gland is extremely sensitive to radiation, especially in kids.
2. When do you take 3-D scans? While a 3-D scan -- called a dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) -- shows terrific cross-sectional images of your teeth and jaw, the radiation dose can be four to 67 times higher than conventional x-rays. Two major dental groups recommend CBCT only when regular x-rays won't provide enough information, such as before an implant. Experts disagree about using it for planning orthodontia, so discuss it with your dentist.
3. Is this x-ray "just routine"? It shouldn't be. You need x-rays mainly when tooth cavity risk is high, a tooth aches, after a mouth injury, or when certain procedures are necessary. To reduce your radiation exposure, encourage the sharing of x-rays between your dentist and a specialist. Better yet, make them available online in an electronic medical record so any authorized doctor can access it.
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Michael F. Roizen, MD, is the cofounder of RealAge and chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic.
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