In the News - News Release

For Immediate Release:

Does Your Mouth Have Allergies?

Worse than a cough. More troublesome than
watery eyes.

Your gums may be suffering an annoying reaction to your dental work.

(Bethesda, MD)-Most women know when they're allergic to costume jewelry. Their skin swells and becomes itchy or flaky. Studies show that up to 16% of women (and 6% of men) suffer a reaction to the metal in the jewelry. Usually the only solution is to stop wearing it.

What many people don't realize is they can have the same problems with their dental work. Often, they're allergic to the metals used to make their crowns, dentures, inlays, onlays or veneers. The symptoms include:

Swollen and red or purple gums
Shrinking/recessed gums
Painful or itchy gums
Bleeding gums
Unpleasant smell or taste

The most common allergy is to nickel, used in many restorations. Other metals that cause reactions are gold, chromium and molybdenum. While safe, the restorations should be replaced-just like problem jewelry is removed. The dentists at the Washington Center for Image Dentistry say the allergies usually fade two-to-24 hours after the problem-causing materials are removed. The restorations can be replaced with new custom-crafted, artistically designed cosmetic teeth made from ceramic and zirconia, two of the most biologically compatible materials available.