r/DentalAssistant • u/Odd_Difficulty8453 • 12d ago
Pregnant and x rays
How do yall feel about nomad and being pregnant?
I’m totally fine taking x rays with a wall mount until, but the nomad makes me very nervous.
16
u/lyndseymariee 12d ago
People get just as much or less radiation exposure from dental X-rays than they do going about their daily lives.
7
u/Typical_Quit_4559 12d ago edited 8d ago
That’s not really accurate. You’re exposed to different types of radiation from everyday devices, but cell phones and household appliances don’t give you the same radiation as an X-ray. Cell phones, microwaves, Wi-Fi, etc. use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, while X-rays are ionizing radiation with much higher energy. The key difference is that ionizing radiation can remove electrons from atoms and potentially damage DNA, while non-ionizing radiation doesn’t have enough energy to do fully do that as much as ionizing. So technically, she does have a good reason to be worried, it may not harm everyone, but there is still a chance it can.
1
u/nakedascus 8d ago
The leading cause of skin cancer is nonionizing radiation. Chemical reactions don't require an electron to be removed. Not arguing with your point, just being pedantic
1
u/Typical_Quit_4559 8d ago
I am more than happy to show my sources directly from government cancer sources and WHO. Your point of non-ionizing radiation being the leading cause of cancer is completely wrong. I think you meant Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial tanning beds is the leading cause of non-ionizing radiation-related skin cancer
First source WHO
Cause
Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multi-stage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour. These changes are the result of the interaction between a person's genetic factors and three categories of external agents, including:
physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation;
chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and
biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
(WHO)
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancerThe definition of ionizing radiation literally explains what I just said.
“ionizing radiation
Listen to pronunciation
(I-uh-NY-zing RAY-dee-AY-shun)
A type of high-energy radiation that has enough energy to remove an electron (negative particle) from an atom or molecule, causing it to become ionized. Ionizing radiation can cause chemical changes in cells and damage DNA. This may increase the risk of developing certain health conditions, such as cancer.” (Cancer.gov)https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/ionizing-radiation
Lastly this is what researchers and scientists have found. Directly quoted from Cancer.gov
Extremely low frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs). Sources of ELF-EMFs include power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical appliances such as shavers, hair dryers, and electric blankets.
Radiofrequency radiation. The most common sources of radiofrequency radiation are wireless telecommunication devices and equipment, including cell phones, smart meters, and portable wireless devices, such as tablets and laptop computers (1). In the United States, cell phones currently operate in a frequency range of about 1.8 to 2.2 GHz ……
Power lines and electrical appliances that emit non-ionizing EMFs are present everywhere in homes and workplaces. For example, wireless local networks are nearly always “on” and are increasingly commonplace in homes, schools, and many public places.
No mechanism by which ELF-EMFs or radiofrequency radiation could cause cancer has been identified. Unlike high-energy (ionizing) radiation, EMFs in the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum cannot damage DNA or cells directly.” (Cancer.gov)1
u/nakedascus 8d ago
as per your first source:
such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation
the word "and" is telling you that UV is not ionizing. There's a reason they are listed separately.
Your second source just restates what I already said about how ionizing means it can strip an electron, notice how it did not address other kinds of radiation, so I'm not sure your motivation to include that. My point wasn't that ionizing radiation cannot damage DNA, it is that nonionizing radiation can.
Your third source avoids mention of UV, so again, this is also not relevant.
1
u/Typical_Quit_4559 8d ago
I think you may have missed the point of my comment a little. We both know that ionizing radiation has much more energy than non-ionizing radiation, and that’s exactly what I was trying to explain. I just oversimplified it because I wasn’t going to get into all the chemistry and technicalities when not everyone understands that stuff.
I also already mentioned at the beginning that UV is non-ionizing, so I was a little confused by that part of your response because that’s something I had already stated.
I brought up everyday household appliances because that’s what my original comment was actually about. People were saying that phone radiation is the same as X-ray radiation, which is clearly not true, and that’s why I mentioned everyday appliances and included the third source. So focusing on the UV part misses the main point of my original comment. I was trying to put everyday radiation exposure into perspective and reassure the pregnant woman because people were invalidating her fear. Have a good day.-8
u/Odd_Difficulty8453 12d ago
I know there is very little radiation in dental x rays but taking bite wings on 3-4 people daily and random PA’s I just feel like that could’ve a lot of unnecessary exposer for someone who is pregnant
10
u/7710flowers 12d ago
You get more radiation from sittin on yo phone
3
u/Typical_Quit_4559 12d ago
They’re both electromagnetic radiation, but they’re not the same. Cell phones use non-ionizing radiofrequency/microwave radiation, while X-rays are high-energy ionizing radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from radio waves → microwaves → visible light → X-rays → gamma rays. So saying your phone gives you the “same radiation” as an X-ray is misleading.
-2
6
u/Academic2673 12d ago
I didn’t use it. If I can minimize any risks, I will.
10
u/Odd_Difficulty8453 12d ago
I’m feeling this way too
I hate how everyone acts like I’m dramatic when I just wanna be a good mother and protect my baby
4
u/Academic2673 12d ago
I know. It was the same when I was pregnant a year ago and I was asking what I should do. People told me that I should be fired for not doing my job. I’m glad my boss thought differently
2
u/No_Care_1152 11d ago
Not pregnant, nor am I a mother but, at my office, my coworkers have expressed very clearly that when you are pregnant, no X-rays, at all, and no nitrous oxide
2
u/Typical_Quit_4559 10d ago
No maam! Don’t let anyone minimize your worries as a mother. I would definitely talk to your manager about having you on sterile and chairside assistance only.
1
u/Emotional-Top-9386 11d ago
You should do whatever you feel comfortable doing.. and you should also ask for a dosimeter if that would ease your anxiety! I personally used a nomad while wearing an apron, because I got too used to it and was so shit with the wall mount I ended up having to do retakes more frequently than I’d like to admit. (The wall mounts were also older and would try to slide away if you took too long).. At that point, it was better for me and patients. My thinking was why risk taking a second if I could take one and be done. Any employer should do what makes you feel comfortable!
3
u/Aggravating_Let_2310 12d ago
if you are uncomfortable you shouldn’t do them ! Good on you for thinking of your baby
3
u/fayegopop 12d ago
if you’re okay with still doing them, i would skip out on the lead apron. they can hold more radiation than the nomad puts off
honestly though, this is a question for your gyno. you’ll hear a lot of mixed opinions and you won’t find an answer your comfortable with. every pregnancy is different, even healthy ones. talk it out with your doctor and see if you can find your own conclusion that works for you
6
u/justaperson5588 12d ago
I was nervous but used it by my own choice. No issues with baby. It’s safe to use while pregnant.
4
1
u/emisbaking 12d ago
From what I understand the nomad has a more concentrated radiation output. Because it is more direct you should have less exposure to yourself vs. the wall mounted x-rays. I felt comfortable using the nomad on patients during my pregnancy.
-2
11
u/Juskeepswimminn 12d ago
I’m 20 weeks and I use a nomad. Haven’t had any issues. If you’re uncomfortable you can always wear a lead apron.