Have you ever used salt? What has worked for your patients? Let us know on our facebook Group, Facebook Page or Instagram. I’m sure this works however feel asking my patients to force themselves to dry retch in the name of dentistry multiple times a day is a long shot. I remember being told in university that one way to work past the gag reflex is to get your patients to systematically sensitise the area leading to a lowered response. This means that for complex situations and severe gaggers nitrous is going to be the number 1 option (short of sedation itself). In the study that suggests salt isn’t particularly successful it also clearly shows that Nitrous Oxide is. Although it’s arguable if it helps the patient or just helps us think we’re helping. All of these things help distract from the mouth and can help in the gagging situation. “Focus your breathing”, “wiggle your toes”. ![]() It’s something most dentists almost intuitively say. Personally, i’m yet to try this because the thought of a numb tongue makes me gag. Numbing the back of the tongue and soft palate can help lower the sensitivity of these regions allowing you to work. Letting them know you have a trick to help and being confident in that delivery gives them hope, and it seems to work. What I think really makes this work is distraction and your confidence. To be clear – this is NOT evidence based medicine, it’s a likely placebo based on my experience which i have seen work wonders for my patients! In fact, the best evidence I could find was that it is not significantly different to control. Strange,as the reflex is often triggered by posterior tongue (glossopharyngeal) and soft palate (trigeminal). There is suggestion that the sensitisation of the chorda tympani blocks the sensation of the gag reflex. I have no idea if this has a true physiological basis to it. The result was incredible – i proceeded to fail at taking 3 lower bilateral DES impressions in a row, all without a gag at all! It was explained to the patient that the salt activates the nerves in the tongue leading to inhibition of the sensory component which would otherwise trigger the gag reflex. She suggests we sprinkle a small amount of salt on the back of the tongue. I believe I learnt this from a tutor in uni. ![]() Salt on the Tongue Just sprinkle a bit on the tongue and you’ll be amazed To help the patient get through these appointments there are a few ‘tricks’ But don’t forget, it’s the patient who’s really struggling here. Often their tongue is large, wandering and reactive. I needed to make a lower partial with bilateral distal end saddles – I needed a perfect impression!Ī patient who gags can really make things difficult. He was great to treat however had warned me from day on, “I have a terrible gag reflex, last time I almost threw up!”Īs a dental student this sent shivers down my spine. I was making a set or partials for a lovely patient. ![]() As youve mentioned, its best to have the condition checked out by a health care provider. Overactive gag reflexes can be tied to anxiety and stress. It’s often the modifying patient factors that really put a spin on your day. The gag reflex, which is an evolutionary mechanism to help prevent humans from choking and ingesting potentially harmful substances, works by causing the back throat muscles to resist swallowing. Most things with a little practice and repetition become quite easy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |