5 Year Old Dental Xrays

Step away from the computer, Google is not your friend.

You may want to seek out a therapist to help you with your anxiety and paranoia. Your child is going to be exposed to many dangers and traumas in this world (physical and emotional) and if you are so upset by these things it's going to be very hard to be a calm and effective mother.

i'm sorry, hon. i'd be pretty pissed too.
i'm a little surprised that a 5 year old is considered a big kid. i didn't actually go back with my kids at that age, but back then dentists were less accommodating. today it's quite normal for parents to accompany children this age and older, especially since it was his first visit (and why is that?)
it's a shame your dh didn't think to say no when they said they were going to re-x-ray, but you guys did have the option of just taking your x-rays along. that was always my responsibility when i went to get second opinions (and i ALWAYS got second opinions when it came to surgeries and sometimes for cavities, a suspicion which was well-borne out.)
i mean, you may not have known that since you haven't had pediatric dentistry visits before that. but your dh also clearly didn't know there was a concern or that he had a valid reason to say no. so it's on both of you, not just on him.
and i think you should write this off as a learning experience for you both as parents. there are many things we just don't expect to encounter and have to roll with.
you're working yourself up to a lather when all of this is pretty easy to discover. it's VERY unlikely that either dentist is lax about x-ray protocol, but since you're very anxious about it, just call them and ask what their shielding procedure is.
and stop reading about cancer on the internet. yes, we need to be cautious about x-rays, but not to the point of paranoia. sometimes it IS necessary to take two sets close together and it's VERY rare for dentists today to be cavalier about their precautions for any of their patients, especially little fellows like yours.
no, you can't really counteract the effects of the radiation now, but there's so very little cause for concern that you just have to let it go.
i think you're just displacing your anger at yourself onto your dh and the dentists. let yourself off the hook, and then let them off the hook. your son is fine.
and stop googling.
khairete
S.

well, to be honest, this is on you. Of course the dentist can't see what's going on under the surface of the teeth without xrays. And since you didn't bring them, they had to take them.

That said, it's a very small amount of radiation, and he won't need them again for 2 years.

More concerning to me is that this was his first dental visit. Please make sure you take him for cleanings and fluoride every 6 months to keep his teeth healthy.

ETA: I am surprised at the no parents rule. I've been to 3 different dentists with my kids due to insurance changes. All 3 had me in the room with them. For that reason, you might look for a new dentist. Don't forget to have all your sons dental records transferred when you switch.

Breathe. First of all, I'm SURE they used the lead shield and the thyroid shield. It's standard practice. Since you weren't in either room at the time, you don't know that they didn't do this, right? I can't imagine any dentist's office skipping this step. They'd lose their license in a flash. It's so routine, they probably didn't even think to mention it. Kind of like a pediatrician saying a kid has a fever of 101.4 without using a thermometer. You wouldn't question that, would you, even if you hadn't seen the thermometer?

Even so, dental X-rays are extremely localized and low radiation. And what do you mean by "calibrating" the X-rays to the child's size? You mean you want them to use less radiation because he's little? Please, you are making yourself crazy here. Unless it was this individual technician's first-ever patient and their first time with the machine, don't you think this is really pretty basic dental care?

I'd be pissed that an unnecessary expense was occurred, but that comes from not thinking ahead and being prepared with X-ray in hand.

I'm surprised that parents aren't allowed in the room - do you think that the nervousness and anxiety you are showing in your writing of this post was evident in your body language at the office? Sometimes it IS better for the parents to be outside so the dentist can connect with the child.

Your greatest concern should be a child with this much tooth decay at age 5. That probably comes from not taking him prior to this point, but that's water under the bridge. If the delay was due to your overall anxiety, you would best serve your child, and yourself, by getting some significant help with that. If you were never advised to take him to the dentist, then you need to seek out a more proactive pediatrician.

As for the fluoride cement, I don't know what the decision-making process was, but since you took your child to a dentist at age 5 and he has some major problems, they probably did what they considered to be basic care. They can't keep stopping every single treatment to ask the parent. My guess is that you signed something when you went in, or spoke to them, about wanting him checked out and treated.

Get off the internet and stop making yourself panic about salivary cancer in kids that had dental X-rays! That's simply not true. You MUST use reliable sources and get educated! I have had dental X-rays since before the days when they used a thyroid shield, and I don't have cancer of the thyroid or the salivary glands or anyplace else. Your child had 2 little sets of very localized X-rays and he is just NOT going to get cancer.

His risk now is a parent who is so freaked out about X-rays that she's not going to get him basic dental care - he's already got problems and you need to focus on his dental and gum health from this moment forward. You've got to learn the right way to brush a child's teeth unless and until he is able to do it himself, you've got to learn about flossing, you've got to eliminate sugary snacks especially sticky things like Gummy treats/vitamins and caramels, and you've got to understand that his health risk is much greater if his teeth and gums are left a mess because of an irrational fear of an X-ray or 2.

Please work with a counselor to help you lessen your anxiety, and get connected to a good pediatrician who can confirm your use of regular and reliable dentists. Your child needs you.

I would not be worried at all about the X-rays, and of course, if you did not hand carry the old ones with you, they had to take new ones at the new office. How else did you expect them to give you an informed opinion on your child's teeth with no X-rays?

My real concern here would be the first dentist. Putting crowns on cavities? Why not just drill and fill like every other dentist would do? If he has lots of cavities did he talk to you about getting the teeth sealed? And not letting you back with your child, no matter the age, is not okay. I would never return to the first dentist.

Also, depending on your insurance, be prepared for a bill since most insurance will not cover a second screening or a second set of X-rays.

CALM DOWN!!!!!!!!

Most of the equipment they use now is so much safer then from years ago, and it is digital so they can see them asap.

IMO: I would never let my child to see a doctor or dentist without me, my daughter is nine and her dentist, orthodontist and doctor all allow me in with her. I think they are somewhat shady if they do not allow parents inside, especially for a 5 year old (it would be different if your child was 16).

If you want to know everything that is going on then you need to be with your child for each visit, if they don't allow it then find another one. If you are this concerned about radiation then talk to your doctor/ped about taking an iodine supplement.

Good feedback below. I am sorry but I feel you are overreacting. If you want good advice on this, please call your pedi.

I just had a root canal - my first.
I was xray-ed 3 times and I still have part 2 of the root canal to finish - so I'm expecting they might xray me some more..
Yeah I wouldn't want to do it every day but you probably get more radiation from being out on a bright sunny day than you do from the total number of xrays over your life time.

It's really ok. A couple of x-rays here and there aren't that big a deal. The cases you're reading about are not talking about two x-rays within a couple of weeks. They are talking about 10's, possibly 100's of x-rays. Keep in mind how many x-rays he would need for a broken bone or other injury.

What's done is done, but now you know. Dentists do need x-rays in order to do their job. If the first dentist took x-rays, you have the right to ask for them. So do ask form them and bring them with you to the new dentist appointment.

Firstly, my DD had cavities at 4 that were found on xrays. They do xrays at our office every couple of years, and only in between when they think it's necessary. We opted to have her teeth fixed in outpatient surgery at the hospital so she would get it done in one shot and be in their pediatric ward. Since then, one tooth got worse and it needed a crown - which at this age is just a steel cap to protect the tooth spacing til it falls out. In our case, DD has very tight teeth and we did not floss her teeth as often as necessary. I learned that lesson very well...

I also agree that if you have other children, please take them before 5 yrs old. The guideline is when they get their teeth or by 1 yr old, at least for an initial visit. This is also good for you so you know the practices of the office before you have an issue like this.

But more than that, if bottom line you don't like the practice, then switch. Our dentists allow us to be with our child. They have benches we can sit on. Even for xrays, we are just outside the room and I can see her.

It sounds like in part what happened is that the new dentist had no basis for comparison, so they needed the xrays to determine course of treatment. I would not be overly concerned, as I would be more worried if they said, "Sure, we'll drill" without knowing what was in his mouth. They could have waited for you and your DH to get the xrays from the other place, but it sounds like your DH approved this set/came unprepared. That's a conversation to be had between you and DH. Many offices now use digital xrays which are less radiation than the old style. You can ask your son if he wore a bib at the first office, but my guess is that he probably did. If you are having anxiety over the radiation he was exposed to, perhaps talk to his pediatrician for reassurance.

In general, I suggest not going to the nth degree on things you find online. We joke that Google will always give you cancer.

First of all, it sounds like you're easily upset. So ... I would look into that because being upset isn't helping your son. I get it - you're concerned. It is unfortunate they redid x-rays but unless the new dentist had them, I'm not sure how you would expect them to be able to treat your son. They need the x-rays. It sounds like maybe you should have taken your son in or gone with them - I know if I send my husband on an errand or appointment, he forgets things or completely doesn't think to ask questions I would.
That's all happened so now you have to let that go. Kids who have dental surgery or major problems with their health or teeth get far more x-rays than this. Trust that they are professionals who've been licensed and had full training - they would not put your child at risk any more than they have to. And one of my kids had to have many x-rays in his life, and is fine.
I can't think of any supplements you can take to lessen the effects of radiation.
What I would do - where you are upset - is maybe call the dentist office and just be reassured. In future though mom, I'd go with your child because it's easy to get upset after the fact. Maybe you couldn't in this circumstance.
I also would find a dental practice you're more comfortable with. From your post I'm not sure if you're anxious in general, but I can go in with my kids to their appointments. Some kids I go in with (nervous ones and small kids) but once they say "I'm fine mom" I don't. I also don't if it will make them more nervous. Sometimes kids do better when parents aren't present.
Good luck :)

ETA: All due respect, Gamma is regarding when kids lose their teeth. Teeth typically start falling out at age 5-6 (sometimes 4, sometimes 7). Kids will lose the front eight first - four on the bottom and four on the top. This usually is complete by about age 8 (though my 8 year old still has two more to lose on top and didn't lose his first until age 7). Anyway, after the initial eight fall out, there is usually a break of a couple of years before the rest of the teeth start falling out. Canines and molars are typically lost between ages 10-12. So, you should do whatever is necessary to fix the cavities now, as he may very well have those teeth for another 5-7 years.

I don't think two x-rays is going to cause him any problems, since he won't be having any more for a long time. I really don't think you need to worry about cancer at this point. Just make sure you and your husband are on the same page to be sure that he doesn't have another set of x-rays anytime soon. I have never seen a dentist's office that didn't use the lead apron, so I think you can safely assume that your son was well protected in that regard.

Crowns and fillings aren't unheard of for a child this age, especially one with multiple cavities. The cavities may have grown too large for a standard filling and the crowns may better protect him until the teeth fall out.

I can understand wanting to be in the office for his first visit; however, I also know that some kids do better at the dentist when the parents are not in the room. This particular practice may feel that having parents in the exam room cause the kids to have more anxiety - or at least to show it more - than if it was just them and the dentist. Next time you go in, I would just ask in advance what they plan to do during the checkup so that you can make sure you're ok with all of the procedures. Most children's dental exams are pretty similar, including the fluoride treatment, so chances are they didn't do anything too out of the ordinary.

Please make sure you start taking your son every six months as recommended. As he gets ready to start losing baby teeth, you want to make sure he's building strong gums and understanding the importance of good dental care to protect the adult teeth that come in next.

I have a few concerns here. First, you're overreacting, it's not like your child was under continuous radiation for hours on end, it's a quick snap shot. Your fault for not bringing copies of the xrays with you to avoid having them done again. You can't expect a complete exam without them.

Second, first visit at 5?? Oh my!! He should have gone several times since then...I think my kids all went for the first time at 2!

Third, I wouldn't take my kids to a dentist who didn't allow me to be in the room. That happened one time and I changed offices. My kids, my rules. I'll find someone who is accommodating to my wishes as a parent or go somewhere else.

Fourth, my youngest son has very soft teeth. He had 8 cavities and needed 2 crowns. We took him from our family dentist to a pediatric dentist and I was in the room with him for all of his procedures. They did one quadrant at a time, and I sat at the foot of the chair each time. The dentist told my son and me what every step of the process was.

But if you only take one thing from my response - PLEASE CALMN DOWN!!!

1. Don't worry about the radiation. He's fine. It's very little exposure. Thyroid cancer and brain tumors - he wasn't in a power plant meltdown.
2. Crowns and all that on a 5 year old? I'd be curious what the 2nd opinion says. If they are baby teeth you are talking about, you have a lot of decisions to make.
3. When you go back to the dentist, be sure to have them explain to your son proper dental health (brushing/flossing/rinsing). Sounds like he has a lot of issues for a 5 year old.
4. If they sealed his teeth, they did you a favor. You took him there to get health care, sounds like they did their job.
5. Stop worrying, he'll be fine!

Good luck!

ETA,

If you were my friend or relative I'd tell you the same thing. He's going to be okay. Next time plan on bringing the X-rays with you or have the docs send them to the 2nd opinion doc.

I would not, in any way, do root canals or caps or anything on baby teeth at age 5. At age 3? I'd see what the whole plan was but chances are I'd say just pull them anyway. At age 5 those teeth might fall out in 6 months. Kids in kindergarten lose nearly all their front teeth by the end of the year and in 1st grade they start losing their molars and stuff. These are not his permanent teeth.

Our pediatric dentist practices at O U Health Science Center Out Patient Surgery and at Midwest City Regional Hospital and uses their outpatient surgery center too. He puts the kids to sleep with general anesthesia and they go to sleep and get everything done at once. Then they wake up and since it wasn't gas anesthesia they wake right up and are normal. It is so easy on everyone.

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X-rays aren't that invasive.

They can't tell you anything without X-rays. Did you bring the new ones with you? If not they had zero choice because YOU didn't provide the new ones with them. I supposed they could have cancelled his appointment and sent you home until you brought the other X-rays but I don't know.

BTW, how old is your child? If he's not in school yet and has baby teeth there isn't any way I'd pay for all this work. Those teeth can be pulled. It doesn't hurt anything.

If he's in elementary school then I would expect him to have tons of work needed. Nowadays most kids start going to the dentist when they get their first tooth. If he hasn't been yet and he's an older kid they're going to have to sit down with you and go over cost, insurance coverage, and timeline.

Also if he's older then they might already be thinking about braces. IF he needs them.

It sounds like you need to be in control of the doctors. SO please call every dentist that takes your insurance and find one that lets parents go back with kids. Our pediatric dentist always lets parents go back and so does our big kids dentist. All the dentists in our area let the parents come back with the kids if they want to.

Please consider they have been to college and done years of work on teeth before they go into private practice and they're not ignorant. If this doc thought your child's teeth needed a treatment maybe they should have conferred with you but maybe it was in the appointment description and you didn't see it?

I'd be pissed too. Crowns for a 5-year old? Not letting the parent in the room during a first appointment? It sounds like one of those scam dentist offices.

Talk to his pediatrician. I don't think two x-rays are the end of the world, but needless x-rays are very frustrating because children's exposure should be limited. And ask for a referral to a good, HONEST pediatric dentist.

I'm kind of in the same boat and have concerns too. My son was hit by another child, on purpose, and has had to get many x-rays over the last year on his teeth to monitor the damage and see if the teeth are causing an infection or are dying and need root canals. I try to keep in mind the low dose of radiation with the digital X-ray. Also, think positively. I know the body can heal and help keep cancer at bay if you are eating well and have a healthy lifestyle. Our bodies are constantly attacking abnormal cells and with a healthy immune system, you have a much better chance of staying well. Limit the sugar! They are finding that it is cancer feeding. Eat many vegetables. Stay positive. Vitamin D and omega oils if your doctor agrees. I think vitamin C is also a good choice. Talk to your pediatrician first to make sure they agree. We also have been using essential oils lately, just in case. There is research showing it's strength in this area too.

Also, find a better dentist. My kids are 10 and 12 and they have no problem having me sit in. In fact they encourage it. I usually book appointments for both at the same time and float between their rooms. This last year with my son at the dentist so often, I was invited to sit right next to him each time. There is no reason you can't go in with them. My 10 year old won't remember all the info they tell him. That's for sure. The last appointment was just a couple days ago and the new endodontist noticed something as we were talking and looking at the X-ray that he hadn't noticed before. He did one more test which helped rule out a root canal for now. If I hadn't been there, he may have missed that and advised the surgery. Plus, I can advocate for my son and explain what he means by "cold" pain or whatever he's trying to say. Stay strong mama and try to keep things in perspective.