Nausea reflex; It is a
defense mechanism provided by the body to prevent foreign objects from entering the throat. However, the severity of this reflex varies from person to person, and some psychological factors and pregnancy may also cause this reflex to increase. Some people feel intense nausea and retching while brushing their teeth. This situation may even be severe enough to prevent the toothbrush from touching the mouth or tongue.
Some suggestions to reduce this reflex;
1- Physiologically, it is not possible to gag while breathing through the nose. If you can focus on taking the air in and out through your nose, you can prevent your nausea reflex.
2- While brushing your teeth, try squeezing a stress ball with your free hand or turning it on and off by squeezing your thumb.
3- Sensitivity to menthol toothpaste. It may be more than others, try different flavours
pastes. The bubbles created by the paste may also cause nausea, in such a case, brushing with only water is better than not brushing at all.
4- Try smaller and softer toothbrushes.
5- Brushing your teeth in the morning on an empty stomach or during pregnancy Brushing can also be difficult.
Try eating something salty, carrots or yoghurt beforehand.
6- Try distracting yourself by listening to music or watching videos.
7- Instead of long dental floss, use thin and stick-shaped ones. try using . Having fewer fingers or tools in your mouth may reduce nausea.
Do the best you can and try not to worry
that you will feel nauseous. Stress will make the situation even more difficult.
For the gag reflex that occurs during dentist procedures;
1- Breathe deeply through your nose before
as breathing through the mouth during the procedure will increase the nausea reflex. If your nose is blocked, try nasal sprays.
2- Some sprays that cause numbness in the throat area or a small amount of local
anesthesia used by dentists also help during the procedure.
3- Your dentist may use more than one instrument during the procedure. You should try not to place it in your mouth and not to touch the assistant
saliva ejector to your tongue or throat.
4- Salt before the procedure. Try rinsing your mouth with this water solution.
5- Sometimes the tension or fear felt during the procedures can also increase the reflex.
Your dentist should take a break from the procedure, let you rinse your mouth and relax.
6- Your dentist may talk to you and turn on calming
music to divert your attention.
7- Humming a song or moving your legs may also be useful during difficult procedures such as taking x-rays.
8 - Your dentist should try to make you stand in a more upright position
without tilting the chair too much.
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