X-Rays Damaging for the Hair Cells?

[iAzra]

I am scared of any X-ray work such as Orthopan - teeth pictures needed for dentist work (which I am also scared of, you can see how these fears go on and on and stack on each other).

But I wonder - does the dental x-rays damage hair cells in a human ear? I mean, they have to get some radiation when doing Orthopan so... I know meds can be ototoxic, this also looks like otodamaging, or?

Any thoughts?

 

[Bill Bauer]

One more thing to worry about...

 

[Sam Bridge]

Good question.. i did have some x rays taken at an appointment last November, it didn't change anything with my tinnitus fortunately. No idea whether it can be potentially dangerous though :|

 

[GregCA]

But I wonder - does the dental x-rays damage hair cells in a human ear? I mean, they have to get some radiation when doing Orthopan so... I know meds can be ototoxic, this also looks like otodamaging, or?

It is ionizing radiation, so in theory it can damage more than just ear hair cells, but unless you have a high exposure (which shouldn't be the case for dental X-rays), it is deemed relatively safe. See http://www.physicscentral.com/explore/action/radiationandhumans.cfm

 

[Tinker Bell]

One more thing to worry about...

Or you can research, better understand the risk level (see post by @GregCA), and realize that worrying about dental X-rays is unnecessary.

Being aware of this minor potential risk is okay. Worrying about it — having anxiety — is unnecessary.

Of course if you would prefer to worry about a risk at this level, then there are quite a few other radiation risks that you should worry about too.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Or you can research, better understand the risk level (see post by @GregCA), and realize that worrying about dental X-rays is unnecessary.

My plan was to assume the worst and then to look into this when I have more time.

I see that a dental X-ray gives one a dose that is equivalent to a dose one receives naturally in one day. It sounds like it ought to be ok. However, I really wish they were to do a scientific study of the effect of dental X-rays on those inner ear hair cells...