Is it possible to take dental x-rays while breastfeeding?

During a fairly long period of breastfeeding, which lasts from six months to two years, a nursing mother may experience problems with her teeth. Anything can happen, sometimes in order to determine the cause of the pain, the dentist needs to see the whole picture as a whole, and then he sends the mother for an x-ray. Many patients, being in a similar position, protest and write a refusal letter. The result is uncleaned and improperly treated dental canals, inflammation and even tooth loss. Should I refuse x-rays while breastfeeding? Is he as scary as they make him look?

Fluorography and radiography

Fluorography and radiography are methods of radiographic examination. Fluorography is often used for mass, routine screening of tuberculosis.

Nowadays digital fluorography is mainly used . Film fluorography is an outdated research method. Digital fluorography has a lower radiation exposure to a person, but at the same time its resolution (that is, the ability to transmit a real image) is lower in comparison with x-rays of the lungs in direct projection.

X-rays contain more information and pathological changes are more clearly visible.

The radiation exposure is low for both methods (digital devices have lower radiation exposure).

Execution steps

Interproximal radiography is one of the types of intraoral examination that allows you to obtain a picture of 1 section of the oral cavity with an image of the upper and lower dentition. To obtain the image, a special holder is secured between the closed teeth. It allows you to identify interdental caries and various changes in bone tissue due to gum disease. And also check the correct installation of crowns, dentures or fillings. An X-ray of the tooth is taken by a doctor in an office specially equipped for this. Before taking an X-ray of a tooth, the doctor gets acquainted with the problem and studies its location.

To obtain a clear image of the problem area, the patient's head is fixed in the required position. The process of visiography takes a matter of seconds, but during this time the patient is required to remain completely still. The video in this article shows how to take targeted photographs of teeth so that the image is as informative as possible. Using a digital sensor, the radiologist directs a beam of rays to the required area. The photograph is taken either from the inside of the mouth or from the face. During the manipulation, the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort.

The original digital image differs from the traditional film image because it is processed using a special program in a few seconds and transferred to the monitor screen.

X-ray and breastfeeding

Modern scientific research proves that there is no reason why a nursing mother should wean her baby off breast milk for some time due to X-rays.

Breastfeeding is NOT a CONTRAINDICATION for x-rays of any area of ​​your body.

CT and MRI are also not contraindicated during breastfeeding.

If a contrast agent is administered, it is necessary to decide individually whether a particular contrast agent is compatible with breastfeeding. Mostly gadolinium-based contrast agents are used.

According to the website e-lactancia.org, X-ray examinations and gadolinium-based contrast agents are in the green (permitted) zone.

• X-ray does not affect the quality, quantity and taste of milk.
• There is no need to pump either before or after!
• There is no need to wean the baby from the breast after the X-ray examination. ⠀

X-ray is a short-term procedure (lasts a few seconds). The effect of radiation on the body stops immediately after the end of the procedure, the rays do not accumulate in it and radioactive substances are not formed.

Breast milk is not exposed to the negative effects of X-rays and its composition does not change.

Remember that any procedure must be justified and performed according to indications. Don't put off getting an X-ray if you need it! Late diagnosis worsens the prognosis of the disease!

More information: X-ray during pregnancy

Source:

Mohrbacher N., Stock J., La Leche League International, The Breastfeeding Answer Book, Third Revised Edition, 2008

Author: Tatyana Neeshpapa, @doctor_neeshpapa

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X-ray of teeth

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Why are breastfeeding women afraid to have their teeth treated?

Any step of a nursing mother can affect the health of the child, so before performing the simplest usual actions, she evaluates whether this will harm the baby. When visiting a dentist, three things may cause concern:

• To make a diagnosis, you may need an x-ray of the diseased tooth;
• During treatment, filling materials and anesthesia medications are used;
• After the procedure, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed.

A young mother may fear that x-rays and medications will make breast milk unsuitable for feeding, and just in case, she may completely refuse dental treatment and postpone going to the doctor until the time when the baby is weaned.

Prevention

To avoid problems, regularly perform dental and oral health care. It's better to prevent than to treat! After all, the risk of diseases in nursing mothers is very high due to weakened immunity after childbirth. For prevention, use the following procedures:

• Brush your teeth after every meal;
• Use flossers and dental floss, special mouth rinses;
• Visit your dentist regularly;
• Change your toothbrush more often;
• Choose pastes with a high fluoride content;
• To strengthen bones and teeth, take vitamin complexes for nursing;
• Eat foods containing calcium, especially sesame seeds, cottage cheese and cheese;
• Don't drink too hot drinks, don't eat a lot of sweets. In addition, such food is harmful to lactation and the infant!

Category Pregnant Published by kosmetik-dent

Features of the procedure in children

Contact intraoral radiography can be prescribed for children in cases where tooth damage cannot be examined in any other way. The technique allows early detection of disturbances in the process of teething, bone tissue diseases, and prescribing effective treatment. In addition, this method allows you to control the implementation of orthodontic manipulations if the child has problems with the formation of the jaw.

The study is carried out in the same way as in adult patients. Children under 2 years of age are recommended to undergo x-rays only in case of urgent need. For example, in case of injury during childbirth, to monitor the development of the jaw, or after a fall from a height, to assess the integrity of the teeth.

Frequently asked questions from patients

Are x-rays harmful?

Radiography is based on radiation exposure. This sounds quite threatening to the average person. Meanwhile, every person receives a dose of radiation every day, even our bodies are radioactive. The background radiation level per day is 10 μSv (microsieverts). To obtain 4 photos with a bitewing X-ray, the patient receives 20-51 μSv. A panoramic image gives 5-25 μSv. CBCT is accompanied by a higher radiation dose; in one session a person receives from 20 μSv to 700 μSv. The level of radiation will depend on the settings and type of device, and the width of the area being studied.

Thus, there is no direct threat in the procedure. However, radionuclides can accumulate, so diagnostics are prescribed if necessary. After the session, the radiologist must write down how many sieverts the patient received, this will make it possible to calculate the next dosage with minimal harm to the person. After the examination, it is advisable to eat more carrots, apples, radishes, beans and citrus fruits. These products will help remove radionuclides from the body.

How often can it be done

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The type of x-ray and its frequency depends on the condition of the oral cavity and the complexity of the treatment. It is better to do CBCT no more than 3 times a year. Bitewing film photographs are prescribed no more than 7 times a year; the new technology uses lower radiation doses, so there may be more digital diagnostics. The acceptable norm is 7 diagnostic studies per year. When changing dentists, it is not necessary to take new photographs; it is enough to take the ones you already have with you to the appointment. If digital data has been lost, it can be requested from the clinic that conducted the examination. CBCT results are stored for up to a year in the archives of medical centers.

Where can I do it?

Most dental clinics have an X-ray room where the patient can undergo this procedure without leaving the building and return to his dentist with the images. State clinics also have such installations, but they are exclusively of the old type. This means that you will have to go through the procedure several times and pay less. Old equipment also has high radiation doses. Unfortunately, many private dentistry are also equipped with such equipment. Sometimes a private doctor may refer you to another diagnostic center to obtain data. Cone beam computed tomography is only available in progressive private clinics, but the accuracy of the results fully pays for itself.

The price of the service will depend on the type of examination. Thus, bitewing radiography costs from 3 to 10 dollars, depending on the number of images. At the same time, prices are almost the same in both public and private institutions. A panoramic image will cost approximately $20-25. It can only be done in private institutions, but some clinics can provide this service for free if the patient is being treated by them. The most expensive diagnostic is CBCT, which is done in single diagnostic and dental centers. Its cost will be 50-60 dollars.

X-ray in dentistry in Kozhukhovo

In the daily practice of a dentist of any specialty, there is often a need to obtain X-ray images of the patient’s oral cavity.

X-ray images are used for correct and complete diagnosis of diseases, during treatment and to monitor its results.

The main types of research used in dentistry:

Dental (or targeted) image - for examining an individual tooth or group of teeth. It is done on a visiograph.

Panoramic photo (OPTG) - to study the entire maxillofacial area. It allows the dentist to assess not only the condition of the teeth, but also see possible pathological changes in the surrounding tissues. Done using an orthopantomograph

CT (computed tomography) is a three-dimensional model of the dental system, which allows you to very accurately determine the condition of the teeth, the size and density of the bone, and take any necessary measurements. This type of research is necessary both for complex endodontic treatment and for implantation. It is done on a computed tomograph.

Many patients wonder about the safety of dental x-rays.

Dental X-rays are significantly different from a conventional X-ray machine; the radiation exposure is much less due to the use of a narrow beam of X-rays and a short duration of radiation. For example, when taking a picture with a digital X-ray, you receive no more radiation than during a two-hour flight.

Various units are used to measure the amount of radiation. In medicine, X-ray procedures typically measure the dose received by the entire body during one procedure—the effective equivalent dose, measured in sieverts. According to SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03, when carrying out preventive medical x-ray procedures, this dose should not exceed 1,000 μSv (microsievert) per year, and a dangerous dose is 1,000,000 μSv.

What is 1000 µSv? Is it a lot or a little? 1000 μSv is approximately:

• 500 targeted images (2-3 μSv) obtained using a radiovisiograph
• 100 of the same targeted shots, but using good X-ray film (10-15 µSv)
• 80 digital OPTG (13-17 µSv)
• 40 film OPTG (25-30 µSv)
• 20 CT (45-60 µSv).

That is, even if we take 1 image on a visiograph every day for the whole year, in addition to a couple of 3D computed tomograms per year, and the same number of OPTG, then even in this case we will not go beyond the limits of the safe permitted doses.

Several government agencies - SES, Rospotrebnadzor - are involved in the installation and monitoring of X-ray medical devices.

To approve the installation of the device, it is necessary to comply with all points of SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03. The ventilation system in the X-ray room is very important, and we approached this issue with the utmost responsibility. Also, official documents require compliance with the air exchange rate, calculated illumination values ​​and calculated temperature values.

Is it possible to give X-rays to pregnant women?

Here's what they write to us about this in official documents (SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03):

7.18. X-ray examinations of pregnant women are carried out using all possible means and methods of protection so that the dose received by the fetus does not exceed 1 millisievert* for two months of undetected pregnancy. If the fetus receives a dose exceeding 100 mSv, the doctor is obliged to warn the patient about the possible consequences and recommend terminating the pregnancy.

* 1 millisievert (1 mSv) = 1,000 microsievert (1 µSv)

That is, in the first half of pregnancy it is definitely not worth taking pictures, but in the second half - 1 mSv for a visiograph - this is practically without restrictions.

I would also like to add here that I have often encountered the militant obstinacy of this opinion: an x-ray at the dentist during pregnancy is an absolute evil. And after all, while “fighting” radiation at the dentist, the same people often calmly fly south to bask in the sun and eat fresh fruit. Moreover, during a 2-3 hour flight to a country with a warm climate, a person receives 20-30 μSv, i.e. the equivalent of approximately 10-15 images on a visiograph. In addition, 1.5-2 hours in front of a cathode ray monitor or TV gives the same dose as 1 picture... How many pregnant women, sitting at home, watching TV series, hanging out on the Internet, think about how many pictures they “took” while watched another program, and then discussed it with friends on the forum and social networks? Almost no one, because the average person does not associate all this with ionizing radiation, unlike an image in a doctor’s office.

Is it possible to take photographs of nursing mothers?

Can. X-rays are not the same as radioactive waste. By itself, it does not accumulate in the biological environment.

With such a load, which is necessary to work with a visiograph, nothing will happen to the milk itself.

I hope this article will help patients answer questions they have about dental x-rays.