Can dental x-rays cause thyroid cancer?
We have a tooth causing us pain and what do we do? We call the dentist for an appointment. As soon as we sit in their chair, they begin to x-ray our mouth. Can all these x-rays cause an increase in thyroid cancer? Most studies say yes, it can. Previous studies have shown an increased risk of thyroid cancer among dentists, dental assistants and x-ray employees, and exposure to dental x-rays have also been associated with an increased risk of tumors of the salivary glands. The thyroid gland is a two-inch structure located in the front of the neck, below the voice box (larynx), and is responsible for the body’s metabolism and calcium balance. When dentists perform dental x-rays, the neck of the patient is exposed to radiation, placing the thyroid in the path of the harmful rays. The potential risk of cancer is especially important because children and adolescents often are subjected to x-rays for dental problems. A research team composed of scientists from Brighton and Cambridge in Englan
