To stop your gag reflex, you must first understand how it works. Your gag reflex is simply a reflex that is brought on by our throats, much like other natural reflexes. Our gag reflex will not allow anything past it except for that normal act of swallowing our foods and liquids. It’s our throats way of blocking objects that shouldn’t be going down your throat and protecting your body from swallowing unwanted materials. Although your gag reflex is there to help and protect you, it can also be a problem to some that can not control it. Even simple chores such as brushing your teeth or flossing can cause people to uncontrollably gag, and in severe cases, actually vomit from their gag reflex. There is a few tips that I can give you to help you overcome your gag reflex and gain back some control.
Tips to Help Stop Your Gag Reflex
Retrain Your Throat
First, you need to train your throat to react differently when a foreign object, other than food, is placed into your mouth. Just by doing a simple test, you will be able to find out where your gag reflex begins. When you are brushing your teeth, put your tooth brush as far back in your mouth as possible. The point at where you start to gag is where your gag reflex begins. Brush your teeth every night. Each time you brush, put the toothbrush on the spot where your gag reflex begins. Try to keep it there as long as possible before having to remove it due to gagging. Every night, you should be able to put your toothbrush a little further back. Eventually, your gag reflex should subside a bit and you should have more control.
Breathe Through Your Nose
Some individuals think that your gag reflex is purely physical while others believe that is it psychological. Well, it’s actually both. A simple cure for coping with a gag reflex is to breathe through your nose. If you have a difficult time at the dentist or even just at home brushing, try breathing through your nose during the process. Also, you can try sprinkling some salt on the tip of your tongue and hold it in your mouth for as long as you can, then swallow. This odd and simple method has worked 95% of the time for those with gag reflexes. Chewing mint gum before heading to your dentist office also seems to help.
Numbing Agents
For those individuals who have tried every trick in the book and still can’t overcome their gag reflexes, there is another option. Although this won’t help you at home, it can help at the dentist office. Many dentists encounter patients with gag reflex issues and now use a spray for those with super sensitive gag reflexes. The mint derived spray actually has a numbing agent included and seems to really help those with severe gag reflexes. Another alternative that a dentist sometimes takes it so get the patients mind of off their gag reflex. They will often give them something to hold, such as a magazine, stuff animal, toys or anything else that will get the patient redirecting their thoughts.
The main objective to over coming your gag reflex is to get your mind off it completely. If you are relaxed, your gag reflex tends to be more relaxed. These tips can help you at home, or at the dentist with some practice. Don’t let your gag reflex control you, control it.
