WHEN life gives you a dental x-ray appointment, bring along a fruit roll-up.
According to a study, published in this month's Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, your chances of getting a clear x-ray image jump by 39% if you have a sticky fruit strip in your mouth.
Researchers compared 270 x-rays of patients who were asked to press their tongues against the roof of their mouths.
Turns out, radiographers who took these images got it right 75% of the time with a fruity aid, compared to a dismal 36% who were without one.
The publication's Editor-in-Chief Cherry Agustin highlighted the potential savings in time, money, and radiation exposure, thanks to this sweet trick.
"When a person can't hold their tongue in place and the radiographer needs to re-take the x-ray, the patient has to spend more time and money, and gets exposed to more radiation," she said.
"But with fruit leather - yes, that's a fruit roll-up - you nail it first time, and it tastes great."
In the study, 90 participants used fruit leather or chewing gum, 90 used medical tape, and 90 went adhesive-free.
Fruit leather reigned supreme, followed by gum, tape, and, in last place, plain old nothing.
So be sure to pack a fruit roll-up for your next dentist visit.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 Jun 24
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