Dental X-rays Linked to Tumors
KAYE: There is some pretty alarming news about all those x-rays that we take at the dentist. People who get frequent dental x-rays may be 90 percent more likely to develop the most common type of brain tumor. In fact, according to this study released by Yale researchers, just one dental x-ray each year could be enough to put you at risk. So just how often is too often to get those x-rays? I asked CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent and Practicing Neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta.</s>SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT AND PRACTICING NEUROSURGEON: they over prescribe these type of x-rays, and it's not just dental x-rays, it's lots of different tests. But I think with x- rays in particular, if you look across society, especially here in the United States, it's probably the most common source of ionizing radiation that we get to our bodies.</s>KAYE (on camera): And does it affect mostly children or adults?</s>GUPTA: Well, children are more susceptible, in part because their bones are just thinner, so when you're actually x-raying, it can actually penetrate more easily, but also because their brains are still developing. So they're a little bit more susceptible to these problems. So it's a little bit of a double whammy. They're younger, and they have this susceptibility, and they're probably getting x-rays more frequently as it is, and also, you know, kids who are getting braces, for example, get a lot of the panoramic x-rays and stuff like that. Again, just ask the doctor, does he really need this, does she really need this, and they'll probably cut down on them.</s>KAYE (on camera): So how often is too often to get dental x-rays?</s>GUPTA: Well, the difference between kids and adults, I'd say kids probably a little bit more frequently because they're more at risk for cavities. But maybe one to every two years. But a lot of that can be also done by physical examination. Really getting in there and looking as opposed to every time the kid goes to the dentist -- every six months or whatever -- getting another set of x-rays, which happens too often. As you get older, you can probably spread it out even more so -- maybe every two to three years. But again, I think the question that a lot of people -- and it's a perfectly legitimate question to ask is do I really need these x-rays?</s>KAYE (on camera): Right. Are they safe?</s>GUPTA: Yeah. Every time you go to the dentist's office, you don't probably necessarily need them unless there's something specific going on.</s>KAYE (on camera): So when we talk about these tumors, what kind of tumor are we talking about?</s>GUPTA: The tumor that they talked about specifically was something known as a meningioma. And basically, it's a tumor that grows from the meninges of the brain -- that's the outer layer of the brain -- and it can grow inward. And these are typically benign tumors in the sense that they don't spread. They don't metastasize throughout the body. But, having removed these tumors myself, they can grow large, and they can push on certain areas of the brain, and that can be the concern. So when we're talking about an meningioma, a lot of times you observe it, but it could potentially need surgery.</s>KAYE: And this week, on SANJAY GUPTA, M.D., Dr. Gupta looks at the signs of depression and how to talk about it with friends, families and co-workers, plus a closer look at a new treatment for depression. That's tomorrow morning on SGMD at 7:30 a.m., Eastern time. NEWSROOM continues at the top of the hour with Fredricka Whitfield. You have plenty ahead for us.</s>FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, boy. We have a full load, but you're just going to have to ride along with us to get it at noon, Easter.</s>KAYE: I'm riding.</s>WHITFIELD: OK, good. Our legal guys will be with us as they always are, and you Facebook at work, I Facebook at work, and it's OK, and in fact, it's encouraged at our workplace, but of course, there are some workplaces that discourage it. So are you breaking federal law by doing so? Our Richard and Avery will be along to explain. Yeah, isn't that serious? Yeah, federal law. OK. And then, the great Magic Johnson and Larry Bird -- you know, there is a play on Broadway right now at the Longachre Theater? Well, last night, Magic Johnson treated the audience to his personal appearance, and NPR's Mike Pesca will be along with us to talk about what that was like. He was in the audience. He'll give us an idea of what Magic Johnson had to say to folks and whether he thinks the Magic/Bird production is a hit.</s>KAYE: Cool, so he does score big points.</s>WHITFIELD: And then, being on a job interview. Well, that's nerve- racking enough, but Career Coach Valorie Burton will be with us to let us know -- you know that opportunity that you have when they say, do you have any questions? Well, she's going to tell us what not to say, what not to ask, what not to do at that very moment.</s>KAYE: Well, you want to ask something because you want to be smart, you want to have a question ready.</s>WHITFIELD: Exactly.</s>KAYE: (As soon as the wrong) --</s>WHITFIELD: Exactly. So she says you can make the deal or you can break the deal at that very moment. And then, of course, two things that we are keeping an eye on: we're talking about that U.S. Secret Service investigation that is now underway, and of course, look at the map here, severe weather out there. We are going to keep a close watch. Alexandra Steele is going to be with us. And this is a big, big day for a good friend of mine who is turning 50. Barbara Wokekeh (ph), in Charleston South Carolina. I am -- I am --</s>KAYE: Are you heartbroken?</s>WHITFIELD: Yes, I am heartbroken that I can't be at her big celebration this evening. The great people of Charleston, South Carolina are going to give her a big hurrah, so a big happy birthday, Barbara.</s>KAYE: Happy birthday, Barbara. I don't know you, but Fred says you're a wonderful friend.</s>WHITFIELD: She's good peeps, and so Randi just wishes you the ultimate best on the big celebration tonight.</s>KAYE: Have fun. Sorry you can't be there, Fred.</s>WHITFIELD: That's right, I can't be there, it's a big ol' bash.</s>KAYE: Well, we've got another minute or so.</s>WHITFIELD: Oh, yeah. Back to news, too.</s>KAYE: Yeah, we gotta get back to news.</s>WHITFIELD: OK. You've got more ahead, too.</s>KAYE: I do. Can I finish now?</s>WHITFIELD: Yeah, you can finish now.</s>KAYE: OK, good. The rocket launch fail. So what can we expect of North Korea? We'll be right back.