If you’ve got a sensitive gag reflex, you know it’s not a fun thing to deal with. For seemingly no reason at all you can feel like you’re going to throw up, and it can hit at any time. Different people gag for different reasons, but if you’re looking for a gag reflex cure then here are a few things you should try.
What Is a Gag Reflex?
Here’s the definition of a gag reflex from Wikipedia:
“The pharyngeal reflex or gag reflex (also known as a laryngeal spasm) is a reflex contraction of the back of the throat, evoked by touching the roof of the mouth, the back of the tongue, the area around the tonsils, the uvula, and the back of the throat.”
The gag reflex helps make sure that nothing enters the throat from the mouth without a swallowing action, helping to prevent choking.
Most people rarely trigger their gag reflex. However, about 10 – 15% of the population suffer from hypersensitive gag reflex (HGR).
Gagging During Teeth Brushing
Many gaggers suffer most when brushing their teeth, but that shouldn’t surprise if you understand what triggers the gag reflex. While we always recommend that our patients brush the entire inside of their mouth – including their tongue and the top of their mouth – brushing too far back in the mouth can cause gagging.
If you find yourself gagging when you’re brushing your teeth, try to not brush as deep into your mouth. Start by brushing the front of the tongue and top of the mouth, and then slowly move back until you feel your gag reflex. By finding out where your gag reflex sensitivity starts you’ll know how far back you can safely brush.
You might also consider switching toothbrushes or toothpaste to see if that makes a difference. If the head of the toothbrush is too big or if the toothpaste is too thick then this might cause you to gag. Another thing to try would be to sip a little bit of water and swish it around your mouth and to give your toothbrush a quick rinse while brushing your teeth. This will keep the toothpaste and saliva mix in your mouth from getting too thick and sticky, which might cause you to gag.
Other Cures for a Sensitive Gag Reflex
Here are a few other proven and unproven cures for a sensitive gag reflex:
- Squeeze Your Thumb – For some gaggers, closing their left hand into a fist with their thumb tucked inside the fingers can quiet the gagging.
- Start Humming – Many gaggers panic a little when they feel like they’re going to start gagging. If you start gagging, try and hum. Hum requires that you breathe, which is relaxing, and it’s difficult to hum and gag at the same time.
- Drink Lots of Water – Having dry or parched mouth can cause the inside of the mouth to feel sticky, which can trigger the gag reflex. Keeping well hydrated keeps the inside of your mouth wet and your gag reflex at bay, but is also good for rinsing food particles and bacteria from inside the mouth.
- Give Yourself a Good Hard Poke – Gagging can become worse if you focus on just how much you’re gagging. So, if you start gagging, give yourself a good hard poke, pinch or squeeze. Hard enough to hurt but not hard enough to do damage. You’ll shift your focus away from your gagging and hopefully your gagging still start to subside.
- Visit Your Dentist – If you can’t get your gag reflex under control, book an appointment with your family dentist. There might be something going on inside your mouth that is causing a sensitive gag reflex, or they might be able to work with you to understand what causes you to gag and how to manage it.
Orion Dental provides a full range of dental services for the whole family. With offices conveniently located in Milton and Scarborough, and with weekend office hours, we make it easy for our patients to fit good dental care into their busy lifestyles. If you’re looking for a family dentist, get in touch and book an appointment!
