<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
    Well, this adds to my list of learning things the hard way...
 
    I tried a flouride treatment gel prescribed to me by my
dentist a couple of days ago and had a definite reaction (my
"wheat type" of reaction).  He had prescribed a small tube of
Gel-Kam Home Care Gel made by Colgate to see if I could tolerate
it.
 
    When I picked up the Gel-Kam at the pharmacy, I asked about
its ingredients.  The unflavored Gel-Kam contains stannous flouride,
glycerin, and hydroxyethylcellulose.  Neither the dentist, the
pharmacist, nor I could determine the source of the hydroxyethyl-
cellulose, but I decided to try it anyway without contacting the
manufacturer first (I was guessing that the glycerin part was safe
for me).  Well, it turns out one toothbrush's worth of this gel
was plenty.
 
    I guess I'm posting this for two reasons.  One, although
I'm not positive that this stuff isn't safe for celiacs (my reaction
may be to an ingredient safe for celiacs but not for me in
particular), I'd like to forewarn others about the possibility
of a problem.  And two, for those new to keeping away from
non-gluten-free foods (and for the foolhardy dingbats like me
who decide to be careless for once): Yes, it is worthwhile to
verify questionable ingredients with the manufacturer!
 
    If anyone does actually know more about the celiac-friendliness
of Gel-Kam flouride gel, it would be nice to know for the sake
of others.  I, however, plan to keep away from it in the future.
 
                Best wishes,
 
                Kirsten Klinghammer
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