Allergies to different types of medicine are quite common in the medical field. To teach his patients about the differing types of dental allergies, Dr. James Fondriest shares the following information.
Commonly Seen Allergies to Dental Medications
- Penicillin. Some form of penicillin appears in a number of antibiotic medications and allergic reactions range from very mild to severe. For patients who suffer from penicillin-type allergies, your dentist has a couple of options. If the reaction to penicillin is simply a mild rash, the doctor can choose to use it anyway, with patient consent. However, more often than not cephalosporin is used in place of penicillin to prevent the patient from enduring any kind of reaction.
- Codeine. A majority of pain relievers have some from of codeine in the formula since it’s highly effective. This opiate-based medication can cause those with allergies to have weakened heart rates, and shortness of breath, and may even stop the heart from beating altogether. Should you have a codeine allergy, the doctor may offer demerol as a substitute.
- Local anesthesia. Unlike an allergy to codeine and penicillin, which only poses a minor setback, allergies to local anesthesia can prohibit treatment. Local anesthesia is necessary for the completion of many dental procedures, including root canals, extractions, and even fillings. If you’re allergic to anesthesia, Dr. Fondriest can find alternative methods of sedation to complete any procedure you may need.
- Latex. While this allergy isn’t medicine related, latex allergies can still prove quite severe among some patients. Yet, it’s one of the easiest ones to resolve in the field of dentistry. Simply inform the dentist and hygienist about the latex allergy before treatment to allow them to utilize other gloves.
For Patients with Allergies to Dental Medications
For patients with allergies to dental medications, talk to Dr. Fondriest about specialized treatment. He can review your medical history to determine which medications he can safely use to provide you with the proper care. To schedule an appointment with your dentist, call us at (847) 234-0517. Also, visit our website for services, testimonials, and before-and-after gallery. Dr. Fondriest and his staff welcome patients from Chicago and surrounding cities.