How To Get Rid Of Your Gag Reflex?
When we eat something or when any other thing touches the top of the mouth or palate then back of our throat compresses automatically.
This action is done naturally to prevent choking and it is called pharyngeal reflex. But if this process becomes over reactive then it can cause a problem. It is hard for some people to brush their teeth as some people have more active gag reflex and due to this reason they don’t even visit the dentist because they think that they’ll vomit if dentist starts touching their top of mouth.
Getting Rid Of Gag Reflex Through Desensitization
Training your soft palate in order to get rid of gag reflex is called desensitization. So while brushing your teeth you can try this method. Following steps may be helpful to avoid gag reflex.
• You must first check the initializing of gag reflex. To brush your tongue you can use a toothbrush. Before going any deeper you should start from the outermost point of the tongue.
• Even if you are gagging you should keep on brushing your teeth for about 10 seconds. In order to train you for not have a gag afterwards it requires some gagging in first place although this process is bit uncomfortable.
• By focusing on the same spot you must repeat this process for some days. When each time you repeat this you will gag even less. So in order to stop gagging you must focus on the same spot. After sometime that part becomes desensitized.
• By using the toothbrush you should go more deep into the mouth. You should now try on the areas that are half an inch away from the desensitized spot. You should keep on going till you reach the extreme point of the brush’s reach.
It generally takes a month to achieve desensitization. So if no result is achieved in first couple of days then you should not be disappointed. After desensitization you will not gag when the dentist touches something in your throat.
• This should be kept in mind that you must not start from farthest point of the mouth. Small steps should be taken in order to achieve this.
• This process is not recommended for more than one time a day as you may vomit and the food will not be digested properly. It should be done in the morning or in the evening.
• While brushing you should breath from your nose not from your mouth to avoid gagging.
• Before trying desensitizing you must consult your doctor first. Children are not recommended for this method.
Tips To Prevent Gagging During Dental Treatment
Gagging may even happen to those people who don’t have overactive gag reflex. So during dental treatment in order to avoid gagging following steps might be helpful.
• Try to breath from nose – While dentist’s tools are still in mouth people start to breath from mouth. So in order to have proper amounts of oxygen in your mouth you must breathe from your nose.
• Lifting both the legs up – To prevent gag reflex lifting both the legs may be helpful to some people.
• Use a nasal decongestant before appointment – To breathe properly from the mouth nasal decongestant is recommended as it is helpful in opening nasal passage.
• Try a throat spray with numbing properties – To avoid gagging while visiting a dentist, throat spray with numbing properties is recommended. Snore-relief sprays helps in preventing gag reflex.
• Use table salt – For many people placing some amount of salt on the tip of tongue is helpful to avoid gag reflex. Your mind concentrates on the taste of salt and this helps in avoiding gagging.
• Talk to the dentist – Physical and psychological factors also come into play when you gag. Fear of the dentist or there would be any kind of problem while visiting the dentist may be a reason for gagging. So while visiting a dentist their mind overreacts and they may start gagging. So you should keep on talking to the dentist in order to avoid this. You will feel easier during the whole process.
• Try topical lidocaine – To avoid gagging you can ask your dentist to apply some topical lidocaine on the sides of your tongue. Lidocaine comes in various flavors and is also anesthetic.
• Take a sip of very cold water – To prevent gagging you can take a sip of very cold water before any dental treatment.
• Listen to music – You may listen to music even while having your dental treatment. It helps in shifting your attention to ears from the mouth.
• Sit up rather lie down – During dental treatment your sitting position also matters. You should ask the dentist if you can sit up or stand up rather than lying down as this helps in avoiding gagging for some people.
Tips To Prevent Gagging While Brushing Your Teeth
Gagging may also happen to some people while brushing their teeth. Gagging may start from childhood and become a serious reason for eating disorder if not treated properly. So to prevent gagging while brushing, following methods may be helpful.
• Use an electric toothbrush – Electric toothbrush with a small brush may be helpful in preventing gagging, as erratic motions while using normal brush may result in gagging. To avoid jerking slower speed are recommended.
• Slowly increase the brushing area – Before covering the whole mouth you should start brushing from the area which is easier to brush. You may close the lips while brushing as it is helpful to some people to avoid gagging. For some people starting from the surface of lower teeth is also helpful.
• Choose a time that works best for you – Gag reflex may be more active in morning for some people. So to decrease gagging you may brush your teeth after washing your mouth.
Other Tips To Get Rid Of Your Gag Reflex
• Consult your doctor or visit a psychologist – Eating disorder for example may be a reason for gagging. So if you think you have an overactive gag reflex then you should consult your doctor. Psychological factor or fear may also be a reason of gagging. So should visit a psychologist if you think that is the case.
• Consider hypnosis and acupuncture – Hypnotherapy may also be helpful to some people that have the problem of over active gag reflex. By embedding ideas, concepts and lifestyle adjustment a hypnotherapist makes your mind in a trance like state. So in case of psychological factor this treatment may be helpful. Acupuncture may also be helpful in tackling gag reflex. Ear acupuncture helps in avoiding gagging as shown in one study although it is bit controversial as some think that it has a placebo effect.
There is no requirement of desensitizing you soft palate if you think you have normal or occasional gag. Nature had created gag reflex for a significant reason. So it is not recommended to completely get rid of it.
Category: Health