14 year old daughter unwell after Dental local anaesthtic

[themiddlebit]

Hi.
My daughter had two teeth extracted last Tuesday. She was not worried at all – she's so desperate for her brace that she would gladly do anything.
She had 4 injections top and bottom.
The next morning she was very dizzy, and complained of nausea. when I picked her up from school she looked flushed and said she had felt very unwell and felt flushed. She seemed to perk up a bit at home that evening. but still felt nauseous. These exact symptoms continued into Thursday. Very flushed... until about 8.00 pm in the evening when she vomited a lot.
She was a bit quiet and weak the next day but felt better.
I approached my dental surgery as I am very concerned for tomorrow which is her appt for the next two to be removed.
I am concerned that this reaction could become a more serious allergic reaction?
She does have allergies to animals and dust, and can get swollen lips etc.
My dentist has told me (through his dental nurse) that he doesnt think this is the local, and they will only know if it if it happens again...
I have read up on this a bit... and it seems that serous allergic reactions are rare, but there does seem to be some 'toxic' reactions too...
Basically – I have really got my knickers in a twist now, and I just 'know' that her reaction was due to the injections... as she never vomits or feels like this usually.
Sorry this post is quite long...
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Or are there any dentists out there?
Any info will be helpful.
Many thanks in advance.

[DishranawaywiththeSpoon]

I'm a dentist OP and to me it sounds unlikely that those symptoms are caused by an allergy to the local anaesthetic. Toxic reactions would most likely occur straight after the anaesthetic and after 2 days it should have all left her system a long time ago. An allergic reaction would be more like your traditional allergy symptoms and again would most likely be a lot closer to the time of injection. They are rare but they do happen however I would expect much more 'traditional' allergic reaction style symptoms like swollen lips, difficulty breathing, hives type thing.

How did she cope with the extractions? Could she potentially have been a bit traumatised? How long did they take to get out? Did she swallow any blood or anything afterwards? Did she have any swelling or bad taste or a temperature? I would say these symptoms are much more likely to be either a) unrelated and just a coincidental tummy bug b) maybe an infection in the socket or c) potentially some kind of shock or stress type thing, even if she was prepared and happy to have it done 2 extractions is still quite a lot for a 14 year old.

The only thing I can really recommend is making sure she eats really well before hand, have a bottle of lucozade about 10 minutes beforehand and make sure you keep her blood sugar up afterwards and maybe keep her off school the next day if she has the same symptoms or if you are worried.

If it's any consolation the first time I had local anaesthetic I was really ill afterwards, I just had the LA and nothing else done at the time so I thought I'd had a reaction but I've had it again several times and I've been absolutely fine, I'm sure before was just a coincidence. I wouldn't worry at this point about it being an allergic reaction.

[DishranawaywiththeSpoon]

The only other thing I would ask is is she underweight or aneamic? Did she have bleeding afterwards or anything?

[themiddlebit]

DishranawaywiththeSpoon

Thank you so much for your response.

She was fine about having the extractions and didn't seem to have any anxiety before, during or after.
She really is pretty brave.
She did have a very small local dental local anaesthetic a year ago to remove a bit of baby tooth. She had to stay for a while in the chair as this really affected her (dizzy etc).
She is normal weight for her height and is not anaemic.
But she is quite an allergic child... (thankfully not seriously).
But has had some fairly extreme reactions to animals and one unknown food reaction...
I suppose I am worried because I have headr people say that you can have a reactions to something... but the next time you are exposed to it, it can suddenly be quite severe...
I think I am probably over-thinking this now... but I feel so responsible to find out what I am allowing to happen.
She did not have much to eat before... so perhaps I should make sure she eats something before and after, as you say.
I don't think she has had an infection as she had no pain or swelling... (apart form the swelling from the initial numbing etc...)
I don't really have a choice as she has to have them removed...
I really value your input – you have taken a lot of time to reply. And I am very grateful.

[themiddlebit]

No bleeding afterwards. Seemed to heal extremely quickly.
Thanks!

[al2002]

Also a dentist, the advice you've been given is spot on.
You must make sure that your daughter has plenty to eat beforehand -(overcompensation is key) and perhaps make an afternoon appointment to facilitate that. Probably a good idea not to do too much physical activity immediately before appointment either.
Make sure she rests well post-extraction and also keep on top of pain relief. The latter must be taken with food.
The symptoms you've describe don't really tally with local anaesthetic allergy.
Try not to worry.

[user789653241]

I had a reaction to local at the dentist once. I became unwell straight away. Started shivering and face turned blue. It was more to do with me being under the weather and being anxious I think. And I have allergy to few things.
I had many local after that and no such a experience again.

[INeedNewShoes]

I once had an unnerving dizzy reaction but directly following the injections (I'd had three kids trying to get my mouth numb for wisdom tooth removal) and it only lasted the rest of that day/evening.

I've had local anaesthetic since and been 100% fine.

[themiddlebit]

Thank you al2002.
I am feeling a lot less worried now. I really appreciate your advice!
Also thank you so much ineednewshoes and irvineonehone

[DishranawaywiththeSpoon]

People can get dizzy straight after as it has adrenaline in the anaesthetic and that can make people feel weird and also because of the stress of treatment, people can be very anxious and tense up and lots of people forget to breath! But this wouldn't last to the next day, it would be immediate.

I'm not sure if she's had them yet but good luck if she hasn't! I wouldn't worry about her being allergic, I've never actually had anyone have an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic or a toxic reaction! It is really rare and it doesn't sound like what you are describing.

Really make sure she eats before! That's very important and make sure she has plenty to drink, you basically need to keep her blood pressure and blood sugar up. Afterwards keep on top of the painkillers, I would take one lot straight after the extractions before the anaesthetic wears off and then alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol every 2 hrs (providing she can take them) obviously be careful not to overdose. Hope it goes okay!

[themiddlebit]

Thank you again!
I'm picking her up from school shortly (armed with snacks!) for a 2.30 appointment. I'm very grateful for your advice – my dentist hasn't mentioned eating well before. So this thread and your advice has really helped. I'm a little anxious (thankfully she isn't!!) but not as worried as I was yesterday! I'm taking on-board all of your advice. Best Wishes.