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.
Dr. Behl!
I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen.
I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing.
During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem.
What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable.
Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for such incredibly kind words! We’ll be sure to pass this along to Dr. Behl. We’re pretty sure the flying unicorns are going to be the part she remembers most! 🦄💙 We’re so glad our team could help make your experience a more comfortable one.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly.
My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Very nice very convenient for me great people working
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
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.
Call Us Today
The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
