Gag Reflex Dentist

Whether you have a minor or severe gag reflex, we are here to work with you to make your dental visits more comfortable.

There is no doubt that many people are a bit anxious before getting into the dentist’s chair. For those patients who have strong gag reflexes, just the thought of being in the dentist’s chair is enough to trigger one.

Schedule an Appointment – Call (314) 862-7844

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

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Dave O.

Dr. Hoffman and his whole Staff are absolutely amazing we have a Special Needs Daughter 54 years old and the Compassion and Care they give her is wonderful! We would recommend them highly.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! Our team truly appreciates your trust and is honored to provide compassionate care to every patient who visits us.

Babs C.

The beat dentist office ever!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our team. 💙

Mandy Z.

I have NEVER had a positive experience with dentist…until now!! I was mind blown how kind the staff was, not just to me but to everyone! I have debilitating anxiety when it comes to dentists because of bad previous experiences, so I was very nervous. But, all the staff, including Dr. Thom, were very gentle, kind, and understanding. They took time to listen to all my concerns and address them, helping to put me at ease. I was also amazed how professional the whole office ran and how completely reliable they were. They easily guided me through the process and everything went so smoothly, including my sedation. I have never been treated so kindly by any dental office before, I was struggling to believe I wasn’t in some kind of dream. But. They really were that nice.

My recovery from sedation and all
The dental work they did to save my tooth was amazing, not a single issue! Dr. Thom even called personally to check on me a day later.

Coming back to put my permanent crown in was the same experience. They were all so kind,
Good about explaining everything they were doing and make the experience light and dare I say…fun.

I would drive 2.5 hours again in a heartbeat to do my work here. Best dental experience I’ve ever
had hands down!!!!!!! Thank you Dr. Thom for giving my life and tooth back. I’m so excited to not be in so much excruciating pain anymore!

Response from the owner:We can’t thank you enough for your kind and heartfelt words. Our entire team is dedicated to creating a gentle, supportive, and positive experience for every patient, so it means the world to hear your visit felt that way. We’re so glad you felt cared for and comfortable throughout the process, and we truly appreciate you making the trip to see us. Thank you for trusting us—it’s an honor to care for patients like you!

Dianne B.

Dr. Hoffmann and his team takes great care of my special needs daughter. We have been coming here for over 20 years. The staff is so kind and patient with her and explains everything to help her stay calm.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your kind words and for trusting our team for so many years. We’re honored to care for your family and appreciate the opportunity to make each visit a positive experience.

Anna C.

I have had the best experience with Dr Behl and her staff! I have awful dental anxiety from some past experiences and they are so kind and supportive. Rebecca is incredible to work with. I highly recommend them to everyone I know!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your kind words! We’re happy to know you felt supported and comfortable during your visit. Our team strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.

Of course, the worst possible solution is to avoid going to the dentist at all. Delaying dental treatment because of a strong gag reflex is a common reason that many people face the risk of serious health concerns.

For some people, their gag reflex may be easily triggered when visiting the dentist or doctor for a routine checkup or procedure. For others, their gag reflex may be so sensitive that they can’t even swallow a pill. If you are in this situation, don’t worry, there are several methods you can try to prevent your gag reflex from interfering with your oral and physical health.

Whether you have a minor or severe gag reflex in St. Louis, we will work with you to make your dental visits more comfortable.

How Is The Gag Reflex Triggered?

The best way to reduce the effects of your gag reflex is to understand what triggers it. There has been a long debate in the scientific community about whether physical or psychological factors play a more significant part in producing a gag reflex. The truth is, it is a combination of both of those things.

The gag reflex, otherwise known as the pharyngeal reflex, is one of the body’s many defense mechanisms. In particular, this defense mechanism is made to keep objects from getting in your throat and blocking your airway, which could, in turn, cause choking.

The severity of the gag reflex can differ from person to person, as many people barely have gag reflexes at all. With that said, it is a relatively common physiological factor for people who have overactive gag reflexes.

As to why people have active gag reflexes in the dentist’s chair, much of it can be tributed to the added stress and anxiety of being in that environment.

Lessening Your Gag Reflex

Regardless of if your gag reflex is the effect of physiological or psychological factors, there are a few things that you can do to lessen your gag reflex while you are at the dentist.

• Breathe Through Your Nose – When your mouth is propped open, it can seem that mouth breathing becomes the default. However, breathing through your mouth is one of the most common triggers of the gag reflex. We recommend turning your attention towards your nose and breathing with it rather than your mouth.

• Refrain From Swallowing Your Saliva – Let’s face it, the idea of drooling while sitting in the dentist’s chair is an idea that we could do without. However, one of the main reasons people tend to gag while in the chair is that they attempt to swallow their saliva. Instead, saliva will be suctioned out effortlessly during your procedure.

• Distract Yourself – Sometimes, we find that all patients need to keep from gagging is a good distraction. The type of distraction that a person needs is entirely up to them. Some enjoy watching a movie or listening to music, while others enjoy having a stress ball to squeeze. Others want self-hypnosis techniques to help get them in the right frame of mind.

• Employing Sedation – Our specialty at The Dental Anesthesia Center is sedation and sleep dentistry. For some patients who have severe gag reflexes, some form of sedation might be necessary so that you can have the best dental experience. There are different levels of sedation that we can administer, so make sure to speak with your dentist before your appointment to see if this type of procedure is right for you.

We’re Here To Keep You Comfortable

Here at The Dental Anesthesia Center, we want to make sure that your visit to the dentist is comfortable and painless. We offer sedation dentistry for patients who have severe and sensitive gag reflexes in the St. Louis area.

Regular dental visits are necessary to maintain proper oral health, and not visiting the dentist because of a severe gag reflex is not the solution. For patients with gag reflex in St. Louis, give us a call at (314) 862-7844 to schedule an appointment! We look forward to seeing you!