Gag reflex!

reverandkenjami

Strange problem(or maybe not) and hoping one of the dentists here can help me!

Went for a check up and scale/polish 2 weeks ago and when the dentist was doing the teeth to the rear of my mouth i almost threw up every few mins!

I have to go see a different dentist to have wisdom teeth removed and was wondering was there anything that can be got to numb the whole mouth? I asked the dentist but she's foreign and just kept telling me i'll be ok(hence the change in dentist) :eek:

Its the one thing putting me off going

Cheers

Big_G

If the area that stimulates a gag reflex is numb, it tends not to happen. However, this is rare, as it is usually stimulated by contact with more than one are of the mouth.

Sometimes the gag reflex can be psychogenic in nature, ie, you think you need to gag because the dentist is working so far back in the mouth.

Some success can be achieved from desensitising the area that stimulates the gag reflex by regular stimulation. Although that's not too fun.

I have heard that sedation can help and apparently there is a pressure point in the lobe of the ear that when pressed with an acupuncture needle can suppress the gag relfex, but I have no personal experience of this. I just know that there have been several papers published on this subject.

tricky D

My dentist recommended a good gargle beforehand which helped a good bit (for brushing that is).

Bards

reverandkenjami wrote: »

Strange problem(or maybe not) and hoping one of the dentists here can help me!

Went for a check up and scale/polish 2 weeks ago and when the dentist was doing the teeth to the rear of my mouth i almost threw up every few mins!

I have to go see a different dentist to have wisdom teeth removed and was wondering was there anything that can be got to numb the whole mouth? I asked the dentist but she's foreign and just kept telling me i'll be ok(hence the change in dentist) :eek:

Its the one thing putting me off going

Cheers

happens me too - especially when they take a mould

ballsymchugh

Big_G wrote: »

If the area that stimulates a gag reflex is numb, it tends not to happen. However, this is rare, as it is usually stimulated by contact with more than one are of the mouth.

Sometimes the gag reflex can be psychogenic in nature, ie, you think you need to gag because the dentist is working so far back in the mouth.

Some success can be achieved from desensitising the area that stimulates the gag reflex by regular stimulation. Although that's not too fun.

I have heard that sedation can help and apparently there is a pressure point in the lobe of the ear that when pressed with an acupuncture needle can suppress the gag relfex, but I have no personal experience of this. I just know that there have been several papers published on this subject.

big g, i've heard (and used) that slowly rubbing the area of the wrist where you would check for a pulse has the same effect. i got the feeling half way through that the patient who i used it with stopped gagging because they thought it was, well, just weird. i look forward to lightly squeezing ear lobes the next time!!

DaveTwenty7

A tip I learned, which works very well for impression taking and taking PA's, is to get the patient to hold one leg up a few cm off the chair. Strange as it sounds and looks it seems to work. Don't know if its just the distraction of concentrating on this.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

DaveTwenty7 wrote: »

A tip I learned, which works very well for impression taking and taking PA's, is to get the patient to hold one leg up a few cm off the chair. Strange as it sounds and looks it seems to work. Don't know if its just the distraction of concentrating on this.

Distractions only.

Best tips I have on this are.
1. Breath through nose ONLY.
2. Use lower trays in the upper if no palate needed.
3. Sit patient up as much as possible.
4. Wait a few extra seconds before seating the impression, then less setting time the mouth.
5. Give the patient a tray to take home. Insert it 5 seconds, then 10,then 20 until about two minutes. Practice will remove the reflex.
6. Mild Oral sedation works well.
7. Don't overload the back of the trays with material.
8. Use custom trays where possible, less material, better fit.
9. If interfering with OH, make a little ortho style palate with clasps, to wear as practice

It is anatomically impossible to puke when you are breathing through your nose, slick technique, calm reassurance, material choice usually do the trick.

Big_G

http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/The_Role_of_Acupuncture_in_Controlling_the_Gagging_Reflex_Using_a_Review_of_Ten_Cases.pdf

gaz wac

I gag everytime i brush , if cleaning my back teeth, tongue or pallet, i gag....( go to get sick, eyes water up) ! I dont put it far down the back of my mouth, it just happens all the time..could gag 6-7 time a brush Just always put it down to a "over active gagging reflex"

fonpokno

Wayne Green Bulb wrote: »

Best tips I have on this are.
1. Breath through nose ONLY.
2. Use lower trays in the upper if no palate needed.
3. Sit patient up as much as possible.
4. Wait a few extra seconds before seating the impression, then less setting time the mouth.
5. Give the patient a tray to take home. Insert it 5 seconds, then 10,then 20 until about two minutes. Practice will remove the reflex.
6. Mild Oral sedation works well.
7. Don't overload the back of the trays with material.
8. Use custom trays where possible, less material, better fit.
9. If interfering with OH, make a little ortho style palate with clasps, to wear as practice

Number 3 was always the main one for me. The number of times I was left flat on my back choking while they took an impression... On the plus side my gag reflex is no longer a problem, it's just not there!

randel

Tell your patient its magic dust and sprinkle a small bit of salt onto their tongue.
Say goodbye to the gag reflex - works every time.