Problems at the Dentist: How to Manage the Gag Reflex?
Many patients wonder how to get dental treatment if they have a gag reflex. This often leads to infrequent visits to the dentist. In reality, gagging is a normal protective reaction of the body, not related to any pathology, and it occurs due to various factors.
Causes of the Gag Reflex During Dental Treatment
The signal to trigger this protective mechanism comes from specific areas of the brain. The main causes can be either physical or psychological. Physical causes include the touch of dental instruments to the mucous membrane of the mouth. It's important to understand that a gag reaction to foreign objects in the mouth is natural. In such cases, distracting the patient (for example, with music or a movie) and the careful work of the dentist can help alleviate discomfort. Patients usually inform the dentist about the issue in advance, and it is successfully addressed thanks to the specialist's qualified work.
If the cause is psychological, it may be a manifestation of dentophobia. In this situation, treatment should take place in a maximally comfortable and calm environment. The dentist may recommend a consultation with a psychologist or help independently, gradually introducing the patient to dental procedures. For instance, instead of tooth extraction during the first visit, the dentist might start with a consultation to help the patient get accustomed to the clinic, reducing anxiety with each visit. This approach helps decrease the intensity of the phobia and improve the patient's mood.
Degrees of Gag Reflex Intensity Sometimes, the aforementioned methods do not help suppress a strong gag reflex during dental treatment. There are three levels of its intensity.
Mild Degree
A mild degree manifests when touching the soft palate, the root of the tongue, or its lateral surfaces. Distraction techniques, local anesthesia, and the careful actions of the dentist can help.
Moderate Degree
A moderate degree is expressed by a reaction to any touch in the oral cavity, may have a psychological cause, and causes noticeable discomfort to the patient. To address this issue, anesthesia with sedation can be used, allowing the patient to practically sleep during the appointment and blocking some of the nerve impulses that trigger the reflex. Medicated preparation for the visit may also be employed. Anti-nausea medications such as Cerucal or Dramamine can fully suppress the reflex. Medications like Novo-Passit or Afobazole, taken the night before, can help reduce anxiety the next day.
Severe Degree
A severe degree of gag reflex intensity is particularly difficult for the patient. Gagging may occur even when simply opening the mouth or thinking about the upcoming procedure. The dentist faces difficulties even during an oral examination, not to mention prosthetics, so the use of anesthesia may be necessary. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, a large amount of treatment (e.g., therapeutic and surgical intervention) is often performed in one session. The patient also finds it difficult to maintain daily oral hygiene, especially if the gag reflex occurs during teeth brushing. In such cases, anti-nausea and sedative medications are prescribed on a regular basis. It is important to maintain oral hygiene, as it directly affects the health of the gums and teeth.
How to Reduce the Gag Reflex?
There are several non-medicated ways to reduce the gag reflex:
- If a feeling of nausea suddenly occurs during the appointment, immediately inform the dentist and start inhaling air through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Breathing processes and vomiting are physiologically incompatible.
- Avoid eating directly before the appointment (eat at least 2 hours prior).
- You can reduce the gag reflex at home with training. Use a regular spoon to touch the mucous membrane of the mouth to gradually get used to these sensations, and the reflex will occur less frequently.
- Fresh scents of eucalyptus, menthol, or citrus can help distract from nausea (take some essential oil with you that has a calming effect).
- Focus on a positive outcome of the appointment and avoid thinking about anything unpleasant during the procedures. Reducing the gag reflex during dental treatment is possible, and it is important to address this issue as soon as it arises. Find methods that reduce discomfort for you, and prepare for each visit.
Always inform your dentist of any issues before starting procedures. The main goal of the dentist is to provide treatment considering all your individual needs, ensuring comfort and safety.
