About Allergies: Allergic to the Dentist?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies No one really likes to go to the dentist -- even doctors. We know we should see our dentist, at least once a year, but it seems everyone tries to come up with a reason not to go. The reasons are even easily this time of the year, as the holidays approach. But what if you are actually allergic to going to the dentist? Does that sound like a valid excuse? It might be for some people, who may experience allergic reactions as a result of exposures while at the dentist. From allergies to local anesthetics and latex, and allergies to toothpaste and amalgam, going to the dentist might be more than a nuisance for some -- it could be life threatening. Allergies at the Dentist Going to the dentist for a routine teeth cleaning doesn't rank very high on most people's priority lists. Many of us delay going to the dentist for lots of reasons, including the need to have a painful procedure performed. Some people may have a legitimate excuse for not going to the dentist, though -- they may experience an allergic reaction while there. From latex allergy to local anesthetic allergy to allergic reactions to bridges and fillings, some people may be getting more than they bargained for with a trip to the dentist. See More About:  local anesthetic allergy  latex allergy  contact dermatitis Local Anesthetic Allergy Reactions to local anesthetics are relatively common, although they are only rarely due to an allergic cause. 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. See More About:  medication allergy  latex allergy  allergist Could I Be Allergic to My Toothpaste? Most reported reactions to toothpaste involve contact dermatitis of the mouth. Symptoms may include sores in the mouth, swollen gums, an irritated tongue, and itching and peeling of the lips and skin around the mouth. Various ingredients in toothpaste can cause these reactions - the most common of which is cinnamic aldehyde, as well as other flavorings, such as Balsam of Peru. See More About:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Allergies Ads Allergies Allergies in Kids Allergies and Hives Hives Allergy Allergies to Pollen Featured Articles Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications Allergy Basics Frequently Asked Questions Nose and Eye Allergies   More from About.com What is ADD? Learn more about Attention Deficit Disorder, a condition that affects approximately 2 million children in the United States. More> Living with ADD Distractibility, restlessness, and difficulty organizing oneself are just a few of the issues individuals with ADD must learn to cope with. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement