Get Dental X-rays, or go to extremes to avoid them?

[freyasam]

I've called 25 - 30 dentists in my region. I found ONE who will *maybe* do fillings without xrays, but it causes me a lot of stress to see her (hours driving in traffic and because of anxiety and chronic fatigue, this is quite stressful to me).

I have 5 cavities. Got the 2 worst ones filled last December at a "biological dentist" who took lots of x-rays but used supposedly nontoxic fillings. One filling is already failing and needs to be redone. If I go back to the original dentist, it will be free to re-do, but there will be new xrays. Plus I need 3 more new fillings.

I know xrays are bad. But how bad, exactly? Are they worse than the stress of going to extreme lengths several times a year to get all these cavities filled, plus regular cleanings and exams?

 

[aniciete]

"DEXIS™ CariVu™ relies on transillumination to identify all cavities, decay, cracks or fractures in the tooth. The DEXIS™ CariVu™ system and camera are placed over each tooth. Infrared light causes healthy enamel to become transparent while decay and fractures become dark. This allows for easy, early, and accurate identification of dental caries and other concerns."

I am going through something similar and found a holistic dentist that offers this technology rather than traditional x-rays. Id assume its better than being blasted by radiation.

 

[mostlylurking]

I've called 25 - 30 dentists in my region. I found ONE who will *maybe* do fillings without xrays, but it causes me a lot of stress to see her (hours driving in traffic and because of anxiety and chronic fatigue, this is quite stressful to me).

I have 5 cavities. Got the 2 worst ones filled last December at a "biological dentist" who took lots of x-rays but used supposedly nontoxic fillings. One filling is already failing and needs to be redone. If I go back to the original dentist, it will be free to re-do, but there will be new xrays. Plus I need 3 more new fillings.

I know xrays are bad. But how bad, exactly? Are they worse than the stress of going to extreme lengths several times a year to get all these cavities filled, plus regular cleanings and exams?

Have you offered to sign a statement that you have declined the xrays? Twice a year when I go to the dentist I have to sign another one. Apparently, the state (Texas) requires the xrays. According to Ray Peat, the dental xrays will bounce around and damage things like your thyroid and your brain. I've already got a thyroid that is not working, mercury poisoning from the dental amalgams, plus lead poisoning; I'm on a mission to avoid further damage. The last time I got a mammogram, they radiated me over eight times because they said they couldn't get that area next to my rib cage at the back of the breast. That was 30 years ago, never went back. I figure I've had my limit for radiation.

"DEXIS™ CariVu™ relies on transillumination to identify all cavities, decay, cracks or fractures in the tooth.

Thanks so much for this info! I'll look into it.

 

[Badger]

Holistic dentists in my area all use "digital xrays" which cut down xray exposure about 80%-90%.

 

[freyasam]

"DEXIS™ CariVu™ relies on transillumination to identify all cavities, decay, cracks or fractures in the tooth. The DEXIS™ CariVu™ system and camera are placed over each tooth. Infrared light causes healthy enamel to become transparent while decay and fractures become dark. This allows for easy, early, and accurate identification of dental caries and other concerns."

I am going through something similar and found a holistic dentist that offers this technology rather than traditional x-rays. Id assume its better than being blasted by radiation.

I found two dentists in my greater region that offer CariVu. One still requires xrays and the other is the one who "might" treat me without xrays, and only the CariVu.

But it's a major stressful event for me to drive to see that dentist, with days of recovery due to my CFS, and I don't know if it's worth it.

 

[aniciete]

Thanks so much for this info! I'll look into it.

no problem

Holistic dentists in my area all use "digital xrays" which cut down xray exposure about 80%-90%.

this is what ray had to say about digital xrays

[I mentioned how dentists compare x-rays to the sun (like, you would get more radiation from the sun), how dentists say their x-rays are "lower radiation" than they used to be, they're better and digital, etc., how dental hygienists don't go running out of the room now, etc.]

The comparison to the sun really is simply fraudulent. The only digital thing about the new method is the way the image is recorded and displayed, making the process very quick and much cheaper for the dentist, which is why they like them. But it’s the same old ionizing radiation. Hygienists who act like that are just stupid.

 

[freyasam]

Dentists trot out the line about digital xrays, too, not just hygienists (re: the Peat quote)

Have you offered to sign a statement that you have declined the xrays? Twice a year when I go to the dentist I have to sign another one. Apparently, the state (Texas) requires the xrays.

thanks, I'll try that, but if Texas state law requires that, why would a signed statement work? (I'm also in Texas and failed to find any statute specifying this law; I wonder if they are lying.)

Everyone I've called has been SO adamant about xrays that it didn't seem to make sense to make an appointment on the off chance I could convince them in their office. Plus they all treat you like a PROBLEM PATIENT!! if you go against their protocol.

 

[freyasam]

According to Ray Peat, the dental xrays will bounce around and damage things like your thyroid and your brain.

Maybe this is my answer: it's worth it to spend a few days a year driving far (and recovering after due to CFS) to a dentist who won't do it, if they hurt my brain and thyroid.

 

[mostlylurking]

Maybe this is my answer: it's worth it to spend a few days a year driving far (and recovering after due to CFS) to a dentist who won't do it, if they hurt my brain and thyroid.

(I'm also in Texas

Are you anywhere near Marble Falls? I go to Nunnally, Freeman, & Owens in Marble Falls. I've been happy with them so far. Here's their twitter page: https://twitter.com/HealthyDentist .

edit: here's their youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HealthyDentist/videos

 

[freyasam]

Are you anywhere near Marble Falls? I go to Nunnally, Freeman, & Owens in Marble Falls. I've been happy with them so far. Here's their twitter page: https://twitter.com/HealthyDentist .

edit: here's their youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HealthyDentist/videos

I'm two hours away but that's how far I was gonna drive to the other dentist that uses CariVu. I'll call your dentist, thanks.

 

[mostlylurking]

I'm two hours away but that's how far I was gonna drive to the other dentist that uses CariVu. I'll call your dentist, thanks.

You're welcome. Can you provide me with the other dentist's contact info? Thanks.

 

[freyasam]

You're welcome. Can you provide me with the other dentist's contact info? Thanks.

I dm'd you.