Tips and tricks: Preventing activation of gag reflex when exposing radiographs

When exposing radiographs, some techniques may alleviate the reaction

By Patricia Pine, RDH, COM

Our gag reflex is a natural protective automatic response designed to keep us alive. It keeps us from allowing any foreign object from going down our throat. It’s one of many survival responses, like jerking our hand away when we touch something hot. We don’t think about gagging; it just happens. Have you ever gagged when having x-rays taken? This is not pleasant.

The pharyngeal reflex or laryngeal spasm activates the gag reflex when something touches the back of the throat, roof of the mouth, tongue, or uvula areas. The tissues constrict in the back of the mouth, which causes a person to gag or feel like throwing up. Many people become concerned when the gag reflex activates, and this makes them feel uncomfortable or nervous.

The gag reflex starts in the first months of life. If the infant’s brain perceives something that’s too lumpy, the hypersensitive reflex activates. Once the infant starts to eat solid foods, the gag reflex diminishes and is less important for survival, unless, of course, a bitter taste is detected and interpreted as dangerous or poisonous. The bitterness will cause someone to vomit and eliminate the hazard immediately. Cotton rolls can also activate the gag reflex.

Patient perception

Some people have a terrible time preventing their gag reflex from activating. This is embarrassing, and they don’t really know why it’s happening. Gagging can be a physiological fear of losing control by vomiting. Some people can see the x-ray holders coming toward their mouths (it’s not even in their mouths yet) and they start to gag. As dental professionals, this can be frustrating, time consuming, and scary. I have told my patients that if they throw up, I’ll be next. I’m a “sympathy gagger.” However, we should offer our patients who gag encouragement, patience, and a positive attitude.

I came up with my article topic when one of my myofunctional patients visited a dentist for her prophylaxis and new-patient examination. When she returned to her therapy appointment, she told me that she went to her dental appointment, but because she had a sensitive gag reflex, they told her to see another dentist. They actually dismissed her from their practice! I was flabbergasted! This patient truly has a severe gag reflex. The dental team did not understand how to handle or temporize the situation. Aren’t dentists always looking for new patients? What do you think this patient will have to say about that office? Negative publicity will not grow a practice.

As a prevention specialist, I felt so bad that she was turned away because of a problem she could not control. So we discussed ways to eliminate her gag reflex. She has a narrow palate and small mouth. We started some remedial activity. The most successful technique was using a small graham cracker placed between her tongue and mandible. She was able to tolerate this and did not gag.

Placing that huge x-ray holder in a little mouth is a challenge for both patient and dental professional. There are other ways to collect radiographic records, such as a panorex, child-size sensors or films, or piggyback bitewing tabs on the sensor to move it toward the center of the palate to avoid contact and gagging. Crosstex has excellent Wrap-Ease Cushions for sensors with barriers. These prevent the mandibular and palatal tori from being injured. They’re also comfortable and easy to use.

Professional swallowers

Think of a sword swallower. I gag just thinking about that, and I’m not a gagger! How did they train themselves not to gag while putting that long sword down their throats? What about people who “swallow” fire or other items mentioned in books like Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Do these people not have gag reflexes? How do they overcome any gagging? Do they use continuous training such as mind over matter? What about people who are professional eaters? They have to overcome gagging in order to swallow enough food to win a contest. Participants practice in order to put on great shows for audiences. Patients can also practice at home to desensitize their gag reflex.

In the dental office, gagging takes most people out of their comfort zones. Gaggers often don’t want to return for more dental care. Every experience can be traumatic. Treatment is often postponed until it becomes an emergency. Future recare appointments are frequently cancelled due to anticipated stress and fear.

Every office should consider creating a standard operating procedure for these patients. Every team member should learn techniques to make appointments as comfortable as possible. Stress management is a significant step in this process. Patients could practice at home to desensitize their gag reflex each time they brush their teeth.

Gagging is a defense system of the body to prevent choking. I hope this article helps lay this gagging reflex problem to rest. You can collect some little bags of salt to use, and remember, they are infection-control friendly.

Patricia Pine, RDH, COM, is a national and international speaker specializing in OSHA, infection control, lasers, and orofacial myology. Pine conducts in-office trainings, boot camps, online seminars, and lectures at dental/dental hygiene conventions. She is a member of OSAP speaker’s/consultant’s bureau and publishes regularly in several dental magazines. Pat provides both OSHA Boot Camp and orofacial myofunctional therapy. Contact her at [email protected].

References

1. https://www.medigoo.com/articles/hyperactive-gag-reflex/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8647679

3. http://www.dentalhygiene411.com/how-to/x-rays-gaggers/

Tips and tricks from Facebook’s hygienists

My dental hygiene peers on Facebook shared the following suggestions after I asked: “What do dental professionals do for patients with gag reflexes when taking x-rays?” I was pleasantly surprised by the great responses.

Communication is key, talking softly and calmly to patients to give them a sense of calm and control.

I suggest patients lift their right leg off the chair and wiggle their big toe to get their mind off what we’re doing. It works for the most part.

To desensitize the tongue, we recommend that patients brush their tongues in thirds starting at the tip, then moving back a little to brush the middle third, and finally the last third of the tongue, which is the gag area. They should do this daily and eventually the gag reflex will desensitize. I learned this in school.

I tell patients that if they have a particularly strong gag reflex, squeeze their left thumb. This popular dentist’s trick can help distract their brain and save them the discomfort and embarrassment of gagging.

Dip a cotton roll in mouthwash and place it on the opposite side of the mouth. It redirects a patient’s attention just enough to snap an x-ray.

I make sure the patient keeps breathing through his or her nose, which controls the reflex. I place the x-ray against the roof of the mouth and let the person navigate closing instead of my touching the tongue. It gives them a feeling of control. I also use a pedo sensor if necessary.

I have them lift their feet off of the dental chair. This takes their mind off of what I’m doing.

Dip the tip of their tongue in salt. Yes, just table salt. I keep a bunch of restaurant packets in my drawer and put it in their palm. They dip their tongue into it, and I snap the image.

I put salt on the sensor cover in combination with having the patient lift one leg off of the chair and then concentrate on keeping it three inches off the ground.

I have patients dip salt under their tongue, and then I proceed with x-rays. It works!

I wet a Q-tip with mouthwash or water and dip the tip very lightly in salt. When the patient opens, I dot the tongue with salt and the sensor goes right in. I guess they can’t concentrate on the salt taste and gag at the same time.