How can I stop my sensitive gag reflex while at the dentist

[fabemmy]

I really need help with this.

I've got a dentist check up coming up but I have a very sensitive gag flex and start gagging at the thought of it,
My gag reflex is that bad the last time I went to the dentist, I wouldn't open my month for him to check it, it was very upsetting to me.

How can I stop this problem when in the dentists chair?

[Naomicorlett]

Oh its horrible isnt it. I have dark glasses and practice level one breathing but I dont sound as affected as you. But at one stage I couldn't even clean my back teeth.Does he play music that sometimes helps to relax things and damp down the gag reflex. Good luck.

[Naomicorlett]

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/gagging_denti st.html
tHIS LOOKS A GOOD SITE.

[joggerjayne]

How to supressyou gag reflex?

And this is because ... you're "going to the dentist" ??

Mmm Hmmmm.

[Naomicorlett]

JJ behave !!

[joggerjayne]

sorry

[DEN53]

My friend suffers with this - she has some sedation at the dentist. Not much, just a little to relax her and give him time to examine her teeth.

[PurpleParis]

Oh Fab, I totally sympathise with you...I also have a bad gag reflex! Even brushing my teeth makes me gag.
My dentist knows this and yet when I said...I'm gonna be sick...I'm gonna be sick...he just said, nearly done!
I was sick...and I made sure I hit him with it! He never questions me anymore, when I say stop for a minute...he stops!
I think the breathing thing helps, listening to my ipod also helps distract from whats going on, little bit of lavender on a paper hanky to keep smelling calms me too.

[B00]

Purple Paris (cool name by the way!)

How do you hear the dentist's instructions, ie, "open wider" (steady Jayne!) and so on if you're listening to your IPod?

[McMouse]

Try aversion therapy. JJ will advise.

[andy-hughes]

Sedation will definitely help, because your own nervousness will simply increase the problem.

You can overcome it with relaxation, but it takes time and practise, so I'd go for 5ml of diazepam - your dentist may be able to prescribe for you, if not, have a word with your GP.

[sqad617]

You can't.

[PringlesQueen]

I too have a sensitive gag reflex which is attributed to have too many instruments in my mouth. I discussed it with my dentist and we agreed that if I was struggling that I raised my hand in the air and my kind dentist immediately removed all instruments and his hands from my mouth.
It does not stop the gag reflex, but it makes me feel alot more in control, and in return alot more relaxed.

[Dina73]

Breathe through your nose only, not your mouth. It helps me.
Just concentrate all the time you are there on that one thing, breathing through your nose, and it will be much better.

[woofgang]

I have this problem too, my dentist taught me an easy way to manage it....sounds really stupid but it works. First of all, yes the nasal breathing secondly what you do is lift both your feet a little way off the couch and hold them in the air, You have to keep your feet up...I find that I focus s hard on this that the gag reflex doesn't happen

[ELVIS68]

I had root canal treatmeant last year and was in the chair for an hour and 15 minutes, it was a nightmare, as soon as you`re laid back in the chair and your mouth is wide open you get the urge to swallow but you can`t because of all the contraptions in your mouth, the assistant tries to help by hoovering up all the debris that falls in your mouth but that just makes it worse