Have a Sensitive Gag Reflex? How Your Dentist Can Help

If you suffer from a sensitive gag reflex, the dental office may be your least favorite place to visit. An “overly sensitive” gag reflex affects many patients in varying degrees, and it can even cause patients to avoid professional dental care completely.

Regardless of whether you have a mild or severe gagging reflex, a qualified dentist can help you get the oral health care you need and deserve. At Peninsula Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we proudly offer many services in painless dentistry to help you relax and ensure your gag reflex issues don’t hold you back.

Everyone has a gag reflex, which is medically termed the pharyngeal reflex. According to Healthline, this “is a contraction of the throat that happens when something touches the roof of your mouth, the back of your tongue or throat, or the area around your tonsils. This reflexive action helps to prevent choking and keeps us from swallowing potentially harmful substances. Unfortunately, some people have an overly sensitive gag reflex that is triggered by certain factors, such as swallowing pills or professional dental treatment.

A sensitive gag reflex can make routine dental cleanings a major source of dread. Gagging can be due to psychological factors or it can be an expression of panic, with a feeling that your ability to breathe is threatened. It can be so severe that even brushing your teeth can stimulate gagging.

A very mild gagging reflex may be soothed with a reminded focus to breathe through the nose, while a throat numbing spray or local anesthesia can be used for patients with a more moderate gag reflex condition. However, if you have a severe gag reflex or want to eliminate your discomfort altogether, you may choose sedation dentistry. At Peninsula Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we have a dentist who is qualified to perform a full range of sedation dentistry options, including Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation medications and even IV sedation. Many patients opt for this safe and effective treatment to help them fully relax while in the dental chair.

Your Comfort is Our Priority

To further ease your fears about gagging during dental treatments, we also utilize the latest technology in modern dentistry, such as the Lightwalker Laser and Dental Wand to provide more comfortable, faster and less invasive procedures for patients of all ages. You can trust that our friendly staff will take extra time to provide you with a calm environment so that your experience is both positive and rewarding. Don’t let your sensitive gag reflex or other anxieties about dental care keep you from seeing us. Call our Charleston dental clinic today to schedule your appointment.