If you have a strong gag reflex, it can be uncomfortable to have even the most common dental procedure – like a dental cleaning. As a result, you may end up avoiding the dental care you need to stay healthy. Of course, this is not ideal because you could end up with decay, gum disease, or untreated conditions that result in tooth loss and pain.
Don’t Let Your Gag Reflex Keep You From Having Dental Care
If you suffer from gagging, we can help.
Here are some tips to keep you from feeling like gagging or vomiting while you have your dentistry:
- Concentrate on breathing through your mouth.
- We can use hand scaling instead of ultra-sonic scalers, which give off more water.
- You can raise your hand if you become uncomfortable and we will give you a break.
- Lift your legs off the chair and hold them there. This confuses the hypothalamus and reduces the gag signal.
We can also provide other distractions, such as music, to take your mind off treatment.
Sedation Dentistry for Gag Reduction
When all of our tips and tricks fail, we also offer a foolproof method of reducing the urge to gag. This is especially useful for longer or more complex appointments. Sedation dentistry will provide comfort and reduce your anxiety when it comes to dental appointments. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help our patients relax.
Nitrous oxide is mild and safe for most patients – even kids.
Oral sedation utilizes prescription medication that is also generally safe for most patients and completely relaxes you during dental treatment. You might not even remember most of your appointment or you could even doze off. Many of our patients do!
By opting for sedation dentistry, you can have the dental care you need without the stress associated with it. There is no need to suffer.
For more information regarding sedation dentistry for gag reflex control in Encinitas, CA, contact us to schedule a consultation.