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.
have you checked reaction for latex? Latex is everywhere at the dentist.
i too have several times went to the dentist and either a few days or a few hours later depending on how many visits i recently had also would get these red welt rashes on my face after cementing a tooth back in or other work….now i also used to get my nails done yrs ago and had a similar reaction progressively….my cuticals would itch after i had the nails done……after so many times getting them done it finally swelled my fingers to the poiint i thought they were going to explode and itch….i had to rip the nails off and my own came off with it….i never gopt my nails done again….which brings me to the conclusion the cememnt that the dentist uses smells like the acrylic base that they use with the nails….not only would i get the rash on the face but my tongue and throat would also sell up…..and it would not go away for weeks at a time……still have not got any real answer to this from doctors but this is my conclusion
I too have an allergy to acrylic nails and dental cements used. I’m searching for a cement the dentist can use on my teeth, as I need some dental work done. Last visit to the dentist I had a severe reaction to the cement which had acrylic in it and ended up in the ER 3 x’s in a 24 hr period. I even told the dentist about my allergy to acrylic. I’m scared to death of getting dental work done. Anyone have any advise of what materials the dentist uses on you with this allergy?
Kathy, I’m right there with you. The products I have become sensitive to, besides latex are: Eugenol, this sedative agent is often used in cements, and methylparabens, a preservative; gluten, soy , dairy… food allergies.
This past visit 3 days ago, has left me contemplating my safety. My breathing returned to normal within 2 hours, with fresh air. The congestion is almost gone. The chemical peel of my gum is on the mend. It was the most scared I have been since latex caused anaphylactic shock 9 years ago. Please, for your own good, communicate with your dentist and regular doctor, and also allergist if you have one.
If you notice allergic reactions after your dentist uses a cement – symptoms such as tissue damage and inflammation – you may have an allergy to eugenol. Be sure to tell your dentist right away if you show signs of an allergy.Symptoms occurring after the use of local anesthetics may be due to a variety of causes, including anxiety, hyperventilation, toxic effects of the drug itself, vaso-vagal reactions, as well as reactions to epinephrine, which is frequently added to local anesthetics to make the numbing effect last longer.
It is also possible for a person to experience an allergic reaction to preservatives added to local anesthetics. Methylparabens are the most common preservatives added to multi-use vials of local anesthetics. Allergy to methylparabens, while still uncommon, is far more common than true allergy to local anesthetics themselves.
Best of luck to you all.
Amy R.
Alameda, Ca