Reducing the Gag Reflux
Posted on 11/19/2013
In a recent case for a full upper immediate denture, we noticed that part of the hard palate was distorted in the impression. We contacted the doctor about this and he informed us that the patient is a gagger and it was the best impression after three attempts. He knew the denture would need to be relined.
Are there any options to help patients who consistently gag during impressions?
In a recent article published in Dental Economics*, Dr. Joseph Massad offers some interesting techniques to address the gagger situation. We summarize those techniques below. A copy of the original article is available at the link below this article.
1. Place a Q-Tip with salt on the tip of the patient’s tongue. This should stimulate the taste sensors which seem to stimulate the hypothalamus – the same area that may cause gagging. A second stimulus often reduces the gag reflux.
2. Offer the patient a Tetracaine Lollipop. Allow enough time for the lollipop to coat the hard and soft palate. This topical anesthetic can reduce the gag reflux. It is also used after tonsillectomies.
3. Give the patient an extremely cold object such as chemical ice to hold in their hands. Cold sensations seem to be signaled in the hypothalamus and may reduce the gag reflux as a result.
We hope some of these techniques are helpful. Please let us know if you hear of others.
(*Dental Economics October 2013, page 20)
Are there any options to help patients who consistently gag during impressions?
In a recent article published in Dental Economics*, Dr. Joseph Massad offers some interesting techniques to address the gagger situation. We summarize those techniques below. A copy of the original article is available at the link below this article.
1. Place a Q-Tip with salt on the tip of the patient’s tongue. This should stimulate the taste sensors which seem to stimulate the hypothalamus – the same area that may cause gagging. A second stimulus often reduces the gag reflux.
2. Offer the patient a Tetracaine Lollipop. Allow enough time for the lollipop to coat the hard and soft palate. This topical anesthetic can reduce the gag reflux. It is also used after tonsillectomies.
3. Give the patient an extremely cold object such as chemical ice to hold in their hands. Cold sensations seem to be signaled in the hypothalamus and may reduce the gag reflux as a result.
We hope some of these techniques are helpful. Please let us know if you hear of others.
(*Dental Economics October 2013, page 20)
Full Denture, Complete Denture, Gagging, Gag Reflux, Dentistry, Dentist
- Control Patient Gagging : http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-103/issue-10/practice/control-patient-gagging.html
