Wondering about the radiation risks of getting X-rays at the dentist’s office? How much radiation are you exposed to with a single X-ray? How does that quantify over a lifetime? Let’s get a look at the numbers, but it’s safe to say – you’re covered!
Understanding Dental X-Ray Radiation
A single dental X-ray exposes you to about 0.005 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation. To put this in perspective, the average person receives about 0.008 mSv of natural background radiation every day from the environment just by living on Earth. That means a single dental X-ray exposes you to less radiation than you’d get from natural sources in a typical day.
What About Lifetime Exposure from Dental X-rays?
On average, you receive about 3 mSv per year from natural background sources, which totals up to 150 mSv in a lifetime of 50 years. Even if you have dental X-rays once or twice a year for decades, your cumulative exposure from dental scans remains extremely low.
Your lifetime exposure from dental X-rays is less than 1% of what you get naturally.
What Does This Mean for Your Health?
It has been well researched and agreed that the risk from routine dental X-rays is negligible. Modern digital X-ray technology has further reduced exposure, and dental professionals follow strict safety protocols to keep doses as low as possible. Our device, Tarsier X at Eikona X, for instance, minimizes errors and reduces the risks even further.
Final Takeaway
Exposure to radiation from dental X-rays is minimal. It’s less than the amount you naturally encounter each day. Across your entire life, the total radiation from dental appointments remains insignificant. Dental professionals rely on advanced equipment and established safety procedures to ensure your well-being.
If you’re ever unsure or have questions, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist. They prioritize your safety and can explain the specific measures in place to keep your treatment as safe as possible
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3814895/
- https://www.orasurgery.com/comparison-of-medical-dental-and-natural-radiation-levels/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10684028/
- https://www.iaea.org/resources/rpop/health-professionals/dentistry/radiation-doses
- https://www.todaysrdh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Radiation-Equivalencies-Chart-August-8-2022-Update.pdf
