08/02/2026
Are you a “Holistic” dentist?
One of the biggest marketing trends I’m seeing is fear based dentistry. Patients are being told that root canals are “toxic,” titanium implants are poisoning their bodies, the fluoride in your toothpaste is dangerous, and dental X rays cause cancer. None of these claims are supported by high quality scientific evidence when these treatments are used appropriately and don’t give me your free “science” articles from someone’s online blogs. I need real evidence based science.
Let’s talk about dental X rays for a second. A full set of digital dental radiographs exposes you to only a tiny fraction of the radiation you’re naturally exposed to every day being in sunlight. In fact, you receive more radiation simply living on Earth from the sun, soil, air, and even taking a flight than you do from routine dental imaging. Modern digital sensors use such low doses that the ADA no longer recommends routine lead aprons for most patients because they provide no meaningful benefit.
The real danger isn’t the X ray. The real danger is what you don’t see without one.
Cavities between teeth, bone loss, cysts, abscesses, failing root canals, cracked teeth, impacted teeth, and even some tumors can progress silently for months or years before causing pain. By the time you feel something, treatment is often more invasive, more expensive, and sometimes the tooth can’t be saved.
And before someone says, “Dentists just want to make money on X rays,” let’s be real. In our office, we don’t even charge patients for them it’s part of the exam. Insurance reimbursement is minimal to non existent. We take radiographs because they are an essential diagnostic tool, not a profit center.
Question everything, including what I say. But make sure the answers come from well designed scientific studies, not fear based marketing. Your health deserves evidence, not headlines.