How can I control or temporarily relieve my gag reflex at the dentist?!
Question: I never had a gag reflex as a younger child, but within the past few years of so (I am 29 now) I developed this gag relfex and it tends to erupt when I am at the dentist. It happens when they are taking x-rays, along with having my teeth cleaned and they have to put those darn plastic things in the sides of my mouth. Unfortunately I don't go to a dentist that uses one of those panoramic x-ray machines, so I am stuck with this. Well, I have an appointment next Monday and I am really not looking forward to going. I have tried the Chloaseptic thing, but it only works for 10 minutes. Anyone have any good advice?
Answers: I never had a gag reflex as a younger child, but within the past few years of so (I am 29 now) I developed this gag relfex and it tends to erupt when I am at the dentist. It happens when they are taking x-rays, along with having my teeth cleaned and they have to put those darn plastic things in the sides of my mouth. Unfortunately I don't go to a dentist that uses one of those panoramic x-ray machines, so I am stuck with this. Well, I have an appointment next Monday and I am really not looking forward to going. I have tried the Chloaseptic thing, but it only works for 10 minutes. Anyone have any good advice?
HEATHER,
THE DENTIST HAS A SPECIAL SPRAY FOR YOUR THROAT CALLED CETACAINE.
THIS WILL NUMB YOUR GAG REFLEX SO WORK CAN BE DONE.
You have to force yourself to think of something totally different. Try pinching yourself REALLY HARD if that helps distract you.
concentrate and breath through slowly through your nose. It helps, I promise!!
Chloraseptic is the best option. Also, tell the dentist this before they start and they may be able to help you. They should be willing to give you a break whenever you tell them to. Also, I've heard that smiling suppresses the gag reflex.
If Chloraseptic worked for 10 minutes then ask that you be allowed to sit up every 10 minutes to use the Chloraseptic again. I see no reason why the dentist would resist your request, afterall, your comfort should be one of his top priorities. Not only that, but your ability to control your gag reflex during treatment benefits your dentist!
Smile , it stops the gag reflex, that is if you can. Just keep smiling.
Tell the dentist that you are worried about gagging and arrange a signal with him/her so that you can let him/her know if you are feeling uncomfortable. Usually gagging is caused by something being on the back of the tongue, so the dentist may tell you how to move your tongue so it will be out of the way. Or they will just be extra careful. Either way, dentists are used to hearing this from patients and they care for your comfort, so don't hesitate to tell them.
I always used salt on patients when taking x-rays on a person with an amazing gag reflex. So, what you do is take a tongue depressor and get it wet. Then sprinkle salt over it and rub it on the side(s) of the tongue where the x-ray will be. I don't know how this works on the taste buds and gag reflex, but it works.
You can try sitting while holding one leg off the chair, this is suppose to pull down your muscles that are associated with gagging. This is what my radiography teacher instructed us to do when we have a gagging patient.
Some other things you can try are, sucking on an icecube or use chloraseptic spray every 10 minutes to numb your mouth.
Also, I read in my radiography book that you could hold your index finger out in front of you and bend and straighten it in a steady motion. You should also breath through your nose.
If this doesn't work, you could request that they use a smaller size film when taking x-rays.
Hope this helps!