Be sure to inform your dentist about your latex allergy as part of your complete medical history. This includes any drug allergies. If you have been diagnosed with latex allergy, inform your dentist before treatment and ask the office whether it has latex-safe products available for use during a dental procedure or surgery. Request that your appointment be scheduled as the first procedure of the day, before latex proteins can build up in the air; this can lessen your exposure to latex allergens.

Take the following precautions:

• Carry an epinephrine kit (EpiPen^®) to treat possible severe allergic reactions.
• Use a medic alert bracelet that clearly states your allergy. You may also want to carry a letter of explanation from your allergist.
• Carry a pair of latex-free gloves (gloves made of nitrile or vinyl are alternatives to latex) in case of an unscheduled emergency visit with a dentist.
• Avoid contact with latex products as much as you can.
• Take steps to find out which products around you contain latex.
• Find other products that you can use that do not contain latex.