If there’s one thing every medical practitioner needs to keep in mind, it’s that every patient is different.
Each person entering your office arrives with their own traits and personalities that influence the choices you make while treating them.
Some patients are nervous and anxious for their appointments, while others are completely relaxed or even excited about their visit.
Despite these differences, there is at least one variable that exists with all of your patients: a gag reflex.
What Causes a Gag Reflex?
Everybody has a gag reflex – it’s the body’s natural way of preventing unwanted objects from entering the windpipe, or trachea.
This involuntary defense mechanism is triggered when the body believes there’s a threat to the windpipe. Commonly, this gag reflex is caused when certain areas of the back of the mouth are touched.
A common misconception about gagging is that it’s primarily caused when the uvula is touched.
While this can trigger a reaction, contact with the base of the tongue, palate, fauces, or even the back of the pharyngeal wall can also set it off.
Why Are Some Patients More Sensitive?
Just as other factors vary in severity among patients, so does the gag reflex.
Since there are a number of reasons that trigger it, the more you know, the easier treatments become for both you and your patient.
For example, someone who gags frequently might just have a narrow palate. This is when the roof of the mouth isn’t fully developed, sitting smaller than a properly grown palate.
This problem is often seen in children, who are among the most likely to suffer from a sensitive gag reflex.
Even if a child doesn’t have a narrow palate, they may still be learning how to properly control their gagging – a skill they’ll need to develop over time.
Another reason for a sensitive gag reflex could simply be the existence of extremely sensitive nerve endings within the oral cavity.
While some causes of a sensitive gag reflex are physical, others are more of a mental problem.
For example, nervous, anxious patients often suffer mental triggers making them more likely to gag than a relaxed individual.
Treating Patients with a Sensitive Gag Reflex
Regardless of the cause, sensitive gag reflexes can make for a difficult appointment.
After all, it’s hard to treat a patient who frequently rejects your tools from their mouth. These patients often feel reluctant to return for a return appointment, due to the discomfort involved.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can make life easier for everyone.
One of the simplest things you can start with is asking your patient to breathe through their nose.
For some anxious patients, this alone can be enough to overcome the problem. Focusing on a breathing exercise, rather than the dental activity, helps them keep their mind occupied.
Another easy method you can try is to place a bit of common table salt on the tongue. This too, can provide enough of a distraction to their senses that gagging is minimized.
Although throat and mouth-numbing sprays are widely available and effective, you’ll need to do your research before using them.
The FDA reports that sprays which numb the throat and mouth (like benzocaine) can cause methemoglobinemia, which can lead to blood disorders. This doesn’t mean sprays aren’t useful or can’t be a solution, but be sure to research product safety and discuss any concerns of you and your patients before using.
If these simple tactics don’t work, you might need to consider sedation, ranging from light to heavy.
Even a minimal sedation with nitrous oxide can be just enough to help relax your patient and eliminate the discomfort or pain that causes gagging.
For those with severe problems, however, heavier sedative methods might need to be considered.
For many patients, dental impressions and x-rays are a major trigger of their reflex. Cumbersome bite plates and a mouth full of goopy alginate are unpleasant in the best circumstances, let alone in sensitive individuals.
To avoid these problems, the use of intraoral technology is a huge benefit. These digital scanners allow you to avoid filling their mouths with equipment, instead using a much smaller tool, similar in size to a toothbrush.
These scanners avoid triggering the gag reflex, yet still provide the detailed 3D model of the mouth you need.
The Takeaways
The next time you’re about to face a patient with a sensitive gag reflex, there’s no need to worry. It’s not that they’re revolted by you or your office, they just need a little extra help with their health.
Try giving them something else to focus on, like breathing through their nose, or even a pinch of salt.
If possible, the use of newer technology, like intraoral scanners, offers a far less invasive treatment option than traditional bite impressions or x-rays.
And, when really necessary, sedation is certainly an effective choice for the most severe cases.
Whatever you do, encourage your patients to not delay or even stop seeking out dental care altogether. Their good health depends on it!
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About First Choice Dental Lab
First Choice Dental Lab is a full-service dental lab with locations in Downers Grove, Il. & Wauwatosa, Wi.
We manufacture & customize quality dental restorations for general dentists. We create smiles based on your needs and budget.
We’re here to help you give your patients a reason to smile!
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