Allergies at the Dentist
Tuesday July 10, 2007
Most people will do just about anything to avoid going to the dentist, but those people who have experienced allergic reactions after dental work have even more reason to dread these appointments. Allergic reactions occuring while in the dentist chair can be due to many causes, including medications administered to exposure to latex. Anxiety and hyperventilation can mimic allergic reactions, and convince even experienced dentists and physicians that a person is experiencing anaphylaxis.
Have you had a reaction at the dentist that you think may have been caused by an allergy? Consider seeing an allergist for further evalaution, and read these articles:
- Reactions to local anesthetics
- Latex allergy
- Common causes of contact dermatitis (itchy rashes on the face occuring hours to days after seeing the dentist)
Since 1996 I have had a severe reaction to work I had done at the dentist office. It began with slight congestion after one visit and progressively became worse until after 5 visits I ended up at the MD’s office immediately after the dentist with an IV and swollen throat. Since then I never have used local anesthesia again thinking that was the problem. I now always have IV sedation. Six months ago when I had some work done, teeth cleaning and onlays, I had a major reaction to the cement. My throat swelled up, couldn’t breathe and the denist had to wake me up. I was immediately put on steroids. Several trips to the allergist showed no allergic reaction to the novacaine or the cement. I am at a loss as what to do next, I am really hesitant about going to the dentist again, and I have a broken tooth that needs to be fixed.