My interest in the dangers of latex allergies
My name is Dr. Endre Selmeczy. I am a local dentist in Livermore. I became very interested in the latex issue when my office manager and significant other, Annette, came close to death in a restaurant few years ago on Mother's Day. After finishing her dinner, she went into anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to the latex gloves the restaurant used in their kitchen during food preparation. Thanks to the quick emergency response team in Monterey, she is still alive, but her latex allergy changed her life.
The increase in latex allergies
The incidence of serious allergic reactions to latex has increased dramatically in recent years. In rare cases, these allergies can be fatal. It is somewhat difficult to say how widespread the problem of latex allergy may be. It is assumed that many cases go unreported. In one 1994 study, 6 percent of volunteer blood donors were found to have increased levels of anti-latex IgE antibodies. The incidence of latex allergy has been increasing since the introduction of universal precautions in health care settings, including the widespread use of latex gloves to prevent the spread of AIDS and hepatitis B.
Latex allergy can cause serious physical symptoms
Latex allergy or hypersensitivity occurs when the body's immune system reacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. The immune system launches a defense that can cause a host of unpleasant or, in some cases, life-threatening symptoms
Type I latex allergies are the most serious and can cause nausea, low blood pressure, respiratory arrest, and even death. Symptoms begin within minutes after contact with the protein allergens in latex.
Type IV, the most common latex allergy, is less serious. The symptoms include dry skin, hives, tingling sensations, or itching. Symptoms usually appear 48-72 hours after the initial exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least sixteen people have died as a result of latex allergy.
Allergy to latex proteins is a new medical problem with symptoms similar to those seen in individuals who are allergic to bee venom. Reactions on exposure to the allergen are generally acute and may mimic hay fever or asthma, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, hives or difficulty breathing. The most severe cases can result in anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction that affects many parts of the body at once. Symptoms are usually immediate, progress rapidly, and may include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, flushed skin, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, tongue and nose, and loss of consciousness. That is what happened to Annette in Monterey.
Signs and risk factors of latex allergy
Natural rubber latex is a processed plant product derived almost exclusively from the Hevea braziliensis tree found in Africa and Southeast Asia. Some indicators of an increased risk of latex allergy include a history of allergic problems or food allergies to tropical fruits, hazelnuts, chestnuts, or stone fruits.
If you ever experienced some discomfort after eating in a certain restaurant, with reactions such as " I just don't feel good; I must have eaten too much," or "maybe there was something wrong with the food," you should call the restaurant to find out if they used latex gloves in the kitchen. The same applies to your dental office. If you ever experienced any symptoms you thought were signs of an allergic reaction, perhaps it was due to the use of latex in your dental office.
Awareness and prevention
Individuals who have an increased exposure to the effects of latex allergy include those with a history of early and/or recurrent surgical or medical procedures, health care personnel and others who wear latex gloves, and individuals with occupational exposure to latex.
You should also be very careful eating out at restaurants. When you make your reservation, ask the restaurant if they use latex gloves in their kitchen. In Annette's case, just having her food touched with latex gloves during preparation was enough to send her into an anaphylactic shock. The same reaction could happen in a dental office. During the visit at a dental office, latex gloves come into contact with mucous membranes, which enhances the absorption of latex proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. Using latex gloves just for a regular exam could be potentially very dangerous, especially if the patient's latex allergy is not known. There are several other materials used in dental offices containing latex, such as prophylactic cups used during teeth cleaning, tubing, nose pieces, rubber dams, and bite blocks. If you know you are allergic to latex, or you are at risk for latex allergy, you should consider finding a latex-free dental office.
The future of latex use
I am convinced that latex gloves will be outlawed in the future -- not just from dental offices, but from restaurants as well. The question is how many people will die or end up in the emergency room before that change happens.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Don't Hide Your Smile Any Longer As There Are Options For You!
Good oral hygiene is important for good general health. We learn more and more every day about the negative affects poor Dental Care can have on every aspect of overall health and well being. For this reason, it is very important that you not only visit your Dentist regularly, but also learn to take excellent care of your own teeth. In this article, we will discuss some good oral hygiene practices.
Make sure you're brushing your teeth properly. There's not much use in brushing your teeth if you're not doing it the correct way. You should also make sure you're brushing for at least two minutes. If you're unsure of whether or not you're brushing your teeth correctly, don't be scared to ask your dentist.
How much time do you spend on brushing your teeth? If you want to brush your teeth efficiently, you will have to spend some time on each tooth so you can brush both sides as well as the space in between teeth. Use an egg-timer if you want to make sure you spend enough time on brushing your teeth.
Did you just break your tooth? The first thing that you need to do is get in touch with your dentist. After you get in touch with them, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling and decrease any pain.
One way to ensure that you do not end up with cavities is to take good care of your teeth by performing regular dental care. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can all help to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria. It is also an effective way to stage off cavities.
Are you considering getting your tongue pierced? Well, stop it. No matter how great your dental care routine may be, your mouth contains all kinds of germs. You can get infections and chip your enamel more easily if you have an oral piercing. If not treated, you could lose a portion of your tongue-- not the best style statement.
No matter where you purchase your toothpaste from, be sure it has fluoride in it. This makes your teeth stronger, which prevents cavities, breaks and other issues. This leads to a healthier mouth.
In order to keep your teeth healthy, try to avoid eating foods high in carbohydrates. These foods, such as candies, chips, pretzels, and pastas, tend to stick onto your teeth and are hard to come off, even when you brush them thoroughly. This is what causes cavities and other dental issues.
Some women's gums get very sensitive and bleed when they go through menstruation or hormonal changes during puberty. If this is your case, you can easily get rid of this problem by taking oral contraceptive. Go to the dentist to make sure the bleeding is not caused by gum disease.
Clearly, there is a great deal you can do to maintain your own excellent dental health. When you take the time to choose your dental hygiene products with care and use them properly it will go a long way toward helping you maintain your overall health. Remember to brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist at least once a year for great dental health.
Make sure you're brushing your teeth properly. There's not much use in brushing your teeth if you're not doing it the correct way. You should also make sure you're brushing for at least two minutes. If you're unsure of whether or not you're brushing your teeth correctly, don't be scared to ask your dentist.
How much time do you spend on brushing your teeth? If you want to brush your teeth efficiently, you will have to spend some time on each tooth so you can brush both sides as well as the space in between teeth. Use an egg-timer if you want to make sure you spend enough time on brushing your teeth.
Did you just break your tooth? The first thing that you need to do is get in touch with your dentist. After you get in touch with them, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling and decrease any pain.
One way to ensure that you do not end up with cavities is to take good care of your teeth by performing regular dental care. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can all help to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria. It is also an effective way to stage off cavities.
Are you considering getting your tongue pierced? Well, stop it. No matter how great your dental care routine may be, your mouth contains all kinds of germs. You can get infections and chip your enamel more easily if you have an oral piercing. If not treated, you could lose a portion of your tongue-- not the best style statement.
No matter where you purchase your toothpaste from, be sure it has fluoride in it. This makes your teeth stronger, which prevents cavities, breaks and other issues. This leads to a healthier mouth.
In order to keep your teeth healthy, try to avoid eating foods high in carbohydrates. These foods, such as candies, chips, pretzels, and pastas, tend to stick onto your teeth and are hard to come off, even when you brush them thoroughly. This is what causes cavities and other dental issues.
Some women's gums get very sensitive and bleed when they go through menstruation or hormonal changes during puberty. If this is your case, you can easily get rid of this problem by taking oral contraceptive. Go to the dentist to make sure the bleeding is not caused by gum disease.
Clearly, there is a great deal you can do to maintain your own excellent dental health. When you take the time to choose your dental hygiene products with care and use them properly it will go a long way toward helping you maintain your overall health. Remember to brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist at least once a year for great dental health.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Dental Care Advice That Anyone Can Use
There is a lot of information about how to care for teeth out there. Anyone can benefit from good information about Dental Care, and if you are looking for some, you have come to the right place. Read on for some tips to help you learn how to take proper care of your smile.
See your dentist at least once a year. A dentist can catch problems that you may not notice, and can x-ray your teeth to catch any cavities early. Your dentist can also recommend toothpastes and mouthwashes that you can use to care for your mouth while you are at home, too.
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. If you don't spend enough time brushing, you will not get your teeth clean. You need a full two minutes to brush the front, back, and top of your teeth. You should also brush your gums. Be gentle when brushing your gums.
Be sure to see your dentist whenever necessary. Regular check-ups help your teeth stay strong and healthy. You will also be sure that your dentist will find anything before it occurs and can also provide you with solid advice. Neglecting proper dental care can make many issues become serious dental problems.
Don't assume that all dental floss is the same. There are mint flavored dental flosses. These make flossing a little less unpleasant and help with your breath too. If you have a hard time reaching behind certain teeth, get a bag of plastic flossers that are small handles already strung with floss.
After you've completely brushed your teeth, brush your tongue too. All sorts of built-up gunk can develop on your tongue, and this can cause everything from bad breath to gum disease. A clean mouth means every surface, so brush your teeth and tongue and then floss for the best hygiene.
Begin taking your children to the dentist at an early age. It is advisable that their first visit happen very soon after the first tooth comes in. The dentist can evaluate how the baby teeth are growing and look for any abnormalities in the tooth surface. In addition, he or she can provide you with some good tips on taking care of the child's teeth at home.
To prevent cavities and keep your teeth as healthy as possible, brush your teeth after every single meal. The longer that food remains in your mouth, the greater the chance for decay. Although brushing immediately after meals is not always possible, try your best. If you are unable to brush, chewing on some dental gum is a good alternative.
To prevent cavities, limit your sugar intake. The more sugar that you consume, the higher the risk of cavities. Soda and even fruit juices contain lots of sugar, which can severely damage your teeth. Therefore, you should try to drink water. Don't eat sweets too often.
There is a lot to know about teeth. Sifting through all of the information about dental care can be a daunting task. It is hard to know what information will work best. Fortunately, you can start using the tips you got here today, and you will have a better smile tomorrow.
See your dentist at least once a year. A dentist can catch problems that you may not notice, and can x-ray your teeth to catch any cavities early. Your dentist can also recommend toothpastes and mouthwashes that you can use to care for your mouth while you are at home, too.
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. If you don't spend enough time brushing, you will not get your teeth clean. You need a full two minutes to brush the front, back, and top of your teeth. You should also brush your gums. Be gentle when brushing your gums.
Be sure to see your dentist whenever necessary. Regular check-ups help your teeth stay strong and healthy. You will also be sure that your dentist will find anything before it occurs and can also provide you with solid advice. Neglecting proper dental care can make many issues become serious dental problems.
Don't assume that all dental floss is the same. There are mint flavored dental flosses. These make flossing a little less unpleasant and help with your breath too. If you have a hard time reaching behind certain teeth, get a bag of plastic flossers that are small handles already strung with floss.
After you've completely brushed your teeth, brush your tongue too. All sorts of built-up gunk can develop on your tongue, and this can cause everything from bad breath to gum disease. A clean mouth means every surface, so brush your teeth and tongue and then floss for the best hygiene.
Begin taking your children to the dentist at an early age. It is advisable that their first visit happen very soon after the first tooth comes in. The dentist can evaluate how the baby teeth are growing and look for any abnormalities in the tooth surface. In addition, he or she can provide you with some good tips on taking care of the child's teeth at home.
To prevent cavities and keep your teeth as healthy as possible, brush your teeth after every single meal. The longer that food remains in your mouth, the greater the chance for decay. Although brushing immediately after meals is not always possible, try your best. If you are unable to brush, chewing on some dental gum is a good alternative.
To prevent cavities, limit your sugar intake. The more sugar that you consume, the higher the risk of cavities. Soda and even fruit juices contain lots of sugar, which can severely damage your teeth. Therefore, you should try to drink water. Don't eat sweets too often.
There is a lot to know about teeth. Sifting through all of the information about dental care can be a daunting task. It is hard to know what information will work best. Fortunately, you can start using the tips you got here today, and you will have a better smile tomorrow.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Dental Care Basics: Keeping A Healthy Mouth
Taking good care of the teeth is something that everyone intuitively understands is necessary, but something that many people fail to do in actual practice. The best way to appreciate how optimal Dental Health can be maintained is to spend some time studying the topic. The article you are about to read is a great place to begin.
You may want to avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, especially if you are older than 50. Adults may experience sensitivities which can be increased when you use a mouthwash that contains alcohol. Use mouthwashes without alcohol and that contain fluoride. Use it two times per day.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste designed for your condition. You may discover you have sensitive teeth if you notice that you are especially sensitive to cold or hot drinks. You should speak to your dentist to ensure that there isn't anything serious going on.
Sometimes in life we have to make decisions about our health. For example, we may want to eat right, but we don't have time for a healthy restaurant. Instead, we choose a salad at a fast-food joint. The same can be said of dental care - for example, mint floss is a great way to convince yourself to floss more often.
If you are having a difficult time paying for necessary dental work, consider visiting a dental college. College students in the later stages of their training need real people to work on, and they will often perform work at a significantly reduced cost. All students are supervised by their professors or certified dentists, so you remain in safe hands during your procedure.
You should look towards your insurance provider if you are looking for a dentist. Get a list of local dentists who will accept your insurance. Find a dentist off of this list so your expenses can be as little as possible.
Brush your tongue. Your tongue needs attention just like your teeth and gums do. Use your toothbrush and brush your tongue just like you brush your teeth. Not only is this good for your dental health, but it can help with any bad breath you may be experiencing, too.
Taking care of your teeth is about more than brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist. It may be necessary to make lifestyle changes to keep your teeth bright and healthy. Food, drink and tobacco products that can lead to teeth staining should be avoided.
When you have bad breath, it can be a huge curse. This situation is caused by a variety of things, but typically from low quality oral care. This means that the bacteria in your mouth leave behind sulfurous compounds which smell really bad. If you can keep plaque under control by brushing and flossing, your breath will improve.
Most people know that failing to take good care of their teeth can lead to all sorts of difficulties and pain. The trouble is that many are lacking the necessary knowledge to take the best possible care of their own teeth and gums. Fortunately, because you have read the information above, you are not among them.
You may want to avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, especially if you are older than 50. Adults may experience sensitivities which can be increased when you use a mouthwash that contains alcohol. Use mouthwashes without alcohol and that contain fluoride. Use it two times per day.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste designed for your condition. You may discover you have sensitive teeth if you notice that you are especially sensitive to cold or hot drinks. You should speak to your dentist to ensure that there isn't anything serious going on.
Sometimes in life we have to make decisions about our health. For example, we may want to eat right, but we don't have time for a healthy restaurant. Instead, we choose a salad at a fast-food joint. The same can be said of dental care - for example, mint floss is a great way to convince yourself to floss more often.
If you are having a difficult time paying for necessary dental work, consider visiting a dental college. College students in the later stages of their training need real people to work on, and they will often perform work at a significantly reduced cost. All students are supervised by their professors or certified dentists, so you remain in safe hands during your procedure.
You should look towards your insurance provider if you are looking for a dentist. Get a list of local dentists who will accept your insurance. Find a dentist off of this list so your expenses can be as little as possible.
Brush your tongue. Your tongue needs attention just like your teeth and gums do. Use your toothbrush and brush your tongue just like you brush your teeth. Not only is this good for your dental health, but it can help with any bad breath you may be experiencing, too.
Taking care of your teeth is about more than brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist. It may be necessary to make lifestyle changes to keep your teeth bright and healthy. Food, drink and tobacco products that can lead to teeth staining should be avoided.
When you have bad breath, it can be a huge curse. This situation is caused by a variety of things, but typically from low quality oral care. This means that the bacteria in your mouth leave behind sulfurous compounds which smell really bad. If you can keep plaque under control by brushing and flossing, your breath will improve.
Most people know that failing to take good care of their teeth can lead to all sorts of difficulties and pain. The trouble is that many are lacking the necessary knowledge to take the best possible care of their own teeth and gums. Fortunately, because you have read the information above, you are not among them.
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