Q: My daughter had two sealants done and the next morning she woke up with a red, blotchy, very swollen face. Could this be from the sealants? Can sealants be removed once applied?
Thank you,
Jen Z. of Saskatchewan, Canada
A: Hi Jen,
This is a troubling question. I believe your daughter may have a latex allergy, which could one day be life-threatening. Now of course, sight unseen, I can’t diagnose this, but I can tell you that sealants would not cause this type of reaction.
I believe the latex gloves of the dentist caused the swelling of the cheeks. I would have your daughter tested by an allergist as soon as possible, and in the meantime, not allow her to be exposed to latex because the swelling and the blotchiness could be more severe at the next exposure and could affect her airway, making it a potentially life-threatening condition.
I would not have the sealants removed, although they are removable, because I don’t think it will accomplish anything. You absolutely must get in contact with your dentist and physician right away to troubleshoot the issue.
Here’s What to Look for to Identify a Latex Allergy
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Eye tearing or irritated eyes
- Wheezing
- Itching
- Difficulty Breathing
It is imperative to know whether or not your daughter has a latex allergy. Your physician and dentist will be able to identify this and help you with this.
Let me know what you find,
Mark Burhenne DDS
Mark Burhenne DDS is a family dentist and award-winning blogger who has written numerous articles on oral health and advised 
