Welcome to the October Edition of the Chew on This Newsletter from Summit Family Dental.
In this month’s newsletter, we’re celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month with tips for maintaining a healthy smile and sharing important updates from about new guidelines for dental X-rays.
As always, if it’s time to schedule your next appointment, please call (586) 726-0606. See you soon!
Safer, Smarter X-Rays: Understanding the Change in Dental Shielding Practices
Michigan Medicine Will No Longer Be Using Shields For Patients
During Diagnostic X-Ray
The use of lead aprons and thyroid collars during dentomaxillofacial imaging has been a longstanding practice, ingrained in both clinical protocols and patient expectations. However, recent recommendations from American Dental Association (ADA) suggest discontinuing their routine use due to the negligible radiation exposure from modern imaging technologies and the ineffectiveness of these shields against internal scatter radiation. Modern digital radiography emits minimal radiation, often at levels comparable to or lower than natural background radiation. 
This picture on the left shows a patient wearing a shield vs the picture on the right of the same patient without wearing a shield. Notice the arrow on the right missing important diagnosis blocked by the shield.
Studies have consistently demonstrated that the radiation exposure from these procedures is too low to warrant additional shielding. Dental doses are approximately 10,000-fold lower than the threshold for possible fetal effects on pregnant patients, and the thyroid dose from dental radiographs is at least 50-fold lower than the lowest doses associated with the risk of thyroid cancer.
The move away from routine use of lead shielding in dental imaging is a significant shift in practice, but one that is well-supported by current evidence. As always if you have questions, please ask one of us at the office and we will gladly answer them.
October is National Dental Hygiene Month
The perfect time to celebrate healthy smiles and the professionals who help keep them shining! Good oral hygiene isn’t just about a bright smile, it’s essential for your overall health. This year’s focus is on the four simple steps for a cleaner, healthier mouth:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth.
- Chew sugar-free gum after meals to help neutralize acids
Did you know that maintaining good oral hygiene can lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes complications, and gum disease? It’s true, your mouth is a window to your body’s health.
This month, take a few extra minutes to check in on your routine. Are you brushing for two minutes? Flossing daily? Visiting your hygienist regularly? A few small habits can make a lasting difference.
Karyn Casey R.D.H
