Can you be allergic to dental anaesthetic? Local anaesthetic, latex and other allergies at the dentist
Many people who feel palpitations, trembling, dizziness or faintness after a dental injection assume they're allergic to local anaesthetic. In fact true allergy to the local anaesthetics used in dentistry is very rare. Most of these reactions are the brief effect of the adrenaline in the anaesthetic, anxiety, or a fainting reflex triggered by the needle. True allergies are more often to latex gloves, some antibiotics and painkillers. Telling them apart avoids needlessly avoiding treatment.
Allergy or another reaction?
| Reaction | Symptoms | When |
|---|---|---|
| Adrenaline effect | Palpitations, trembling, restlessness | Right after the injection, lasting a few minutes |
| Fainting reflex (vasovagal) | Pallor, sweating, nausea, dizziness, fainting | During or right after the injection |
| Anxiety and fast breathing | Numbness, tingling, feeling short of breath | Throughout the appointment |
| True allergy | Hives, itching, swelling of the face or lips, breathlessness, wheezing | Within minutes to hours |
Swelling from biting a numb lip can also be mistaken for allergy; see how long dental numbness lasts.
Local anaesthetic allergy
Most anaesthetics used in dentistry today belong to the amide group, and true allergy to them is extremely rare. Allergy to the ester-type ingredients in some numbing gels applied to the gum is a little more likely. The preservative (sulphite) in adrenaline-containing solutions can cause problems for some people, especially sulphite-sensitive asthmatics.
If you believe you've had a true allergic reaction before, tell your dentist the details and the name of the medicine used. If needed, testing can be requested from an allergy and immunology doctor, and an anaesthetic from a different group or one without adrenaline can be chosen.
Adrenaline and heart patients
The small amount of adrenaline added to anaesthetics narrows blood vessels, making numbness last longer and reducing bleeding. It's used safely in most people with heart disease or high blood pressure; where needed, the dose is reduced or an adrenaline-free anaesthetic is chosen. Details: dental treatment with heart disease.
Other allergies that can come up in dentistry
- Latex: Found in gloves and some materials. Tell us when booking if you're allergic; latex-free gloves and materials are used.
- Antibiotics: Especially penicillins. A different antibiotic is chosen if you're allergic. See antibiotics and painkillers.
- Painkillers: In some people, especially asthmatics, drugs such as ibuprofen can cause reactions.
- Chlorhexidine: Found in mouthwashes and antiseptics; serious allergy has rarely been reported.
- Metals: Nickel (some brace and denture alloys), rarely mercury. See amalgam fillings, living with braces.
- Acrylic: Some denture materials can cause burning and redness in the mouth. See dentures.
What to do before your appointment
- Mention all known allergies and past reactions at your first examination.
- Bring any allergy test results or reports.
- If you carry an adrenaline auto-injector, bring it with you.
- Tell us if you're afraid of needles or tend to faint; treatment can be done lying back. See fear of the dentist.
- Don't come on an empty stomach; low blood sugar increases the chance of fainting.
Safe planning in Beylikdüzü
At Dent32 we record your allergy and medicine history at the first examination and choose the anaesthetic and materials accordingly. Options for very anxious patients are described in sedation and general anaesthesia.
Dent32 Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı Polikliniği (Dent32 Dental Polyclinic) is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
For clinic details, our dentists and the full list of treatments, visit Dent32, dental clinic in Beylikdüzü.
Frequently asked questions
My heart raced after a dental injection. Am I allergic?
Most likely not. Palpitations are usually the few-minute effect of the adrenaline in the anaesthetic. If you had hives, facial swelling or breathlessness, be sure to tell your dentist.
Can local anaesthetic allergy be tested?
Yes. If true allergy is suspected, an allergy and immunology doctor can carry out skin and challenge tests, and a safe anaesthetic is chosen based on the results.
I'm allergic to latex. Can I have dental treatment?
Yes. Mention it when booking; treatment is done with latex-free gloves and materials.
