Dental x-rays are an important tool for detecting oral cancer in its early stages. While they may not reveal all cases of cancer, they can be used to diagnose the disease and detect irregularities that could be an early sign of it. According to the American Cancer Society, the chances of surviving and fully recovering from oral cancer are much higher if it is detected in the early stages. X-rays from the first visit are also used to compare them with X-rays taken over time to detect problems and unexpected changes.
This means that people with brain tumors may have focused on the possible causes of the cancer and were therefore more likely to remember dental x-rays than people without one, which could bias the results. However, current dental x-rays use very low levels of radiation that pose minimal health risk. Advances in dentistry, such as X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to a small area, high-speed x-rays, the use of lead-coated full-body aprons, and federal laws that require precision and safety controls on X-ray machines, are some of the improvements that limit the amount of radiation patients receive. Regular dental x-rays “can double or even triple the likelihood of developing a common type of brain tumor”, according to The Daily Telegraph.
People with brain tumors were twice as likely to say that they had undergone a specific type of dental x-ray called a “bite” throughout their lives compared to people without a brain tumor. When you go to have a routine dental exam, you can expect that x-rays will be part of your dentist's preventive routine. The American Dental Association recommends that patients cover their bodies with a lead apron while having an X-ray. X-rays pass through less dense objects, such as the gums and cheeks, and appear as dark areas on X-ray film.
Dental x-rays are essential because they can detect problems early, making them easier to treat successfully.Dental x-rays are a useful diagnostic tool to help the orthodontist detect damage and diseases that are not visible during a regular exam. Other people who don't have any recent dental or gum disease and who have scheduled ongoing visits with their dentist may only need X-rays every two years. This study suggests that dental x-rays may be related to a brain tumor, but it fails to demonstrate a real relationship.
