Routine dental care is important for your smile and overall health. However, for patients with a severe gag reflex, even checkups and dental cleanings can be uncomfortable. At Creative Dentistry & Medspa, we want all our patients to feel comfortable and relaxed while we care for their smiles. We offer special dental treatment options for patients with a sensitive or severe gag reflex at our dental center in Sandy Springs, GA.
A sensitive or severe gag reflex can trigger a gagging reaction when anything touches the back of the tongue or mouth. Everyone has a gag or pharyngeal reflex. It is designed to prevent choking, but some people have a more sensitive reaction. Dental treatments require access to the mouth and instruments in the oral cavity can be aggravating to patients with a severe gag reflex. Patients can try some techniques to manage their gag response, including listening to music, focusing on another part of their body, breathing through their nose or other relaxation methods. When patients cannot control the gag reflex, there are options we can offer for severe gag reflex dental treatments.
Sedation and Anesthesia
Both sedation dentistry and local anesthesia can be helpful in patients with a severe gag reflex. Sedation with nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation is useful for relaxation of the mind and body. A severe gag reflex is not only a physical reaction, as it is often made worse by stress and anxiety. Sedation can help patients feel at ease, reducing the chance of gag reflex. Local anesthesia around the soft palate is another option. Numbing the back of the tongue, roof of the mouth and other trigger areas can be effective at controlling a sensitive gag reflex.
Do not let a severe pharyngeal reflex interfere with you caring for your teeth and gums. Our experienced dental team at Creative Dentistry & Medspa offers comfortable dental treatments for patients with a severe gag reflex. Contact our office in Sandy Springs to schedule your next dental visit, and make sure to ask about our options for controlling gag reflex.