Dental Allergies Often Undiagnosed

Jan. 25 -- Most people know when they're allergic to certain metals like those in jewelry. But those same allergies could be causing a much more severe reaction inside their mouth. These problems often go undiagnosed and can even mimic gum disease.

A few years ago, Cate Bennett couldn't relax when eating out. Severe dental problems led to an infection, crowns on her front four teeth and one mortifying moment at lunch with a friend.

Cate Bennett, Dental Patient: "The first bite I took of the salad, I watched my crown fall out into the salad bowl and I was so embarrassed."

Turns out, Cate's allergy to metals in jewelry also made her allergic to the metal crowns in her mouth.

Cate Bennett: "I had inflamed gums. I had a great deal of sensitivity and pain."

When Dr. Joseph Kravitz saw Cate's grey and purple gums and the holes where her gum tissue was pulling away from her teeth, he immediately recognized the problem.

Joseph Kravitz, DDS, Prosthodontist: "For 80 percent of the people that have an allergy on their skin, they also have a problem inside their mouth."

Metal allergies, especially nickel allergies, are a major cause of skin problems like rashes and irritation. Now new research shows up to 16 percent of women and six percent of men are allergic to the metal that's used in inlays, crowns and dentures.

Dr. Kravitz: "It gets red, it gets swollen, it gets itchy and you have a strong metallic taste."

The solution is simple, replace metal crowns with all ceramic ones, and the allergies usually fade within a day.

Cate Bennett: "In 90 minutes my gum went from sort of a grayish purple to a healthy pink."

And now Cate eats out with confidence.

Cate Bennett: "I'm so happy with it. I actually feel like my smile is one of my best features."

The most common skin allergy is to nickel and that is also true for dental allergies, but other metals like gold and chromium can also cause problems, and these allergies can develop over time.

To learn more about possible symptoms of dental allergies, click here.

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