Sedation Dentistry for Patients with Severe Gag Reflex

If you or your loved one suffers from a severe gag reflex, we provide several safe and effective sedation dentistry methods for all of your dental care needs.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

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Angelica C.

Great place. Dr Thoms was wonderful, and checked in later in the day to see how I was doing—despite being about to catch a flight, he wanted to make sure I was alright. The nurses were lovely and very accommodating. Thanks for making my wisdom teeth removal under anesthesia so “painless”!

Carrie R.

My dental appointment was absolutely amazing! Dr. Behl and Laina performed a thorough examination and cleaning! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience.

Ann R.

I highly recommend the Dental Anesthesia Center. The best dental care, knowledgeable, efficient, state of the art facilities, friendly, painless, AWESOME! Laina is my hygienist and she is very thorough!! Dr Hoffmann has always done my dental work and he is truly amazing, I never feel a thing!

Response from the owner:Ann, Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm glad to hear that you have had such a pleasant experience! The Dental Anesthesia Center

Lisa H.

Dr. Hoffman and his staff are very good at making the experience for my special needs son, as easy and non stressful as possible for him. It's not easy handling him sometimes but Dr. Hoffman has compassion and grace towards my son and takes his time and doesn't rush thru. I appreciate him and his staff as always and highly recommend this office especially when you need that extra care with dental needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We appreciate your trust in our team and are grateful to be part of providing a positive experience for families in our care.

Kimberly C.

We had a very positive experience with Dental Anesthesia Center. Dr. Thoms and his entire staff were kind, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. My child has special needs, and as an anxious mom, I truly appreciated how compassionate and reassuring everyone was. We were referred to Dr. Thoms by our child’s dentist, and they took the time to explain everything while genuinely wanting to do what was best for my son. Communication was excellent throughout the procedure, which helped ease a lot of my anxiety. The office staff, including the ladies who handled the payment process, were just as kind and helpful, and I never felt pressured when discussing treatment or costs. The cost was more than we anticipated and definitely an unexpected expense, but my child’s needs always come first. Most importantly, my son seemed very comfortable afterward, did not appear to be in pain, and was eating an hour after the procedure. I don’t give perfect scores lightly, but I would absolutely recommend Dr. Thoms and his team to other families, especially parents of children with special needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and kind words. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide care and appreciate you trusting our team. Wishing you and your family all the best!

The gag reflex is your body’s natural defense mechanism to prevent foreign objects from entering your airway. However, some people have very sensitive gag reflexes. It may result from a mental trigger, such as anxiety, or a developmental disability such as autism or cerebral palsy.

Whatever the reason, it can be challenging for a patient with a sensitive gag reflex to receive dental care. But forgoing dental care due to your sensitivity is not a good idea. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we provide sedation and sleep dentistry options for patients with severe gag reflexes.

Sedation Dentistry Methods

If you or your loved one suffers from a severe gag reflex, we provide several safe and effective sedation dentistry methods for all of your dental care needs. Sedation dentistry can be used for invasive dental procedures, general tooth cleaning, and X-rays.

The patient is given medication to help them relax during the procedure. Patients are typically conscious during the process, except for those under general anesthesia. The levels of sedation include:

• Minimal sedation
• Moderate sedation
• Deep sedation
• General anesthesia

Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way for many patients to receive dental treatment. On your initial visit, Drs. Hoffmann or Thoms will need to know your medical history and current medical condition to help you decide which sedation method is suitable for your needs.

Some Ways to Naturally Ease Your Gag Reflex

If you suffer from a severe gag reflex, you’re not alone. This is a common condition that many patients suffer from. There are a few ways to ease your gag reflex naturally. Some of these include:

• Communicate your fears – At your dental visit, tell us about your issue, any concerns you have, and specific dental work in the past that caused you to gag. When we know your situation, we can make your treatment as comfortable for you as possible.
• Pick a suitable time of day – This may sound strange, but you may find that you’re more susceptible to gagging at certain times of the day. For instance, you may gag more in the morning, like when you brush your teeth. Scheduling your visit later in the day may work better for you.
• Breathe through your nose – Take deep breaths through your nose to stay relaxed. If you have a stuffy nose on the day of your visit, consider rescheduling. You might also consider taking a decongestant before your appointment to relieve any sinus congestion.
• Sit up rather than lying down – Your gag reflex may be more sensitive when you’re lying down. If possible, we can sit you up more for your dental work. This may help ease the strong reflex feeling.
• Practice getting control over your gag reflex – When you brush your teeth, this is an excellent time to practice getting control over your sensitivity. Gently and slowly touch the back of your throat with your toothbrush. When you feel the urge to gag, try to control it by breathing through your nose. This tactic will work, but it will likely take several weeks of practice before getting over your sensitivity.

Schedule Your Dental Appointment Today

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we are well equipped to treat your dental problems despite your gag reflex or any other fear or anxiety you suffer from. We value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.