![]() Some patients, she says, have such a severe gag reflex that they may vomit mid-appointment, which can compromise the sterile environment. Depending on the severity of the gag reflex, the appointment may run longer than scheduled.or need to be cancelled partway through. A patient with even a mild gagging problem may make it more difficult to take x-rays, for instance. VanArsdall says that a patient’s strong gag reflex can pose a variety of challenges. Or perhaps they had a predisposition toward gagging that had nothing to do with the dentist or hygienist.”ĭr. A patient who didn’t previously have a gagging problem might have developed one after a bad dental experience-maybe the impression tray was overfilled and they felt like they couldn’t breathe. The study authors mention in the article that they don’t know whether the fear causes the gagging or the other way around. “I’ve read that study, and it’s interesting because it’s a chicken-and-egg problem. VanArsdall notes that the correlation between dental anxiety and gagging in the 2014 JADA study warrants further investigation. “Anatomic variation and systemic physical disorders like sinusitis can play a role, but there are also psychological factors like anxiety.”ĭr. VanArsdall says that while anatomical variability in the sizes and locations of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and trigeminal nerves can contribute to a stronger gag reflex, not all instances of gagging have purely physiological causes. ![]() She is also a mindfulness instructor certified in Koru Mindfulness, an evidence-based mindfulness curriculum developed by psychiatrists at Duke University. Pam VanArsdall, DMD, MPH, is a dentist by trade and a former academic dean at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. In fact, teaching patients just a few simple mindfulness exercises could be the difference between a dreaded appointment and effective treatment. But one little-used strategy could also be the easiest to implement: mindfulness meditation. The survey also found that frequent gaggers were more likely to report higher levels of dental anxiety than nongaggers.Ĭlinicians who want to create a better experiences for gaggers and eliminate barriers to care have several options at their disposal, ranging from sedation to desensitization. 2 Moreover, 7.5% reported gagging during every or almost every appointment. According to a 2014 research paper in the Journal of the American Dental Association, a survey of 478 dental patients found that 50% had gagged at least once during a dental visit. Gagging, however, isn’t just a physiological problem. In fact, a 2004 literature review found that frequent gaggers are more likely to postpone dental care than nongaggers. But to the patient, gagging is a potential barrier to care. Before you can say “pharyngeal reflex,” the patient is sputtering and choking nearly to the point of tears.įor clinicians, a patient’s strong gag reflex means longer appointment times and more treatment challenges. It's a familiar situation: There you are working, and suddenly you see the patient’s tongue lift. If you’ve been practicing dentistry for any length of time, you’ve encountered your fair share of gaggers.
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