Dentist appointment. Gag reflex

[notacooldad]

I have a long dentist appointment next week that will involve having a lot of tings in my mouth. It’s a treatment that I really want but my problem is I have a gag reflex issue. Even when I have the places in my mouth for an x ray I start heaving and being sick.
what can help? Does anyone have any ideas?

I have the same problem. Let the dentist know at the start of your appointment so that they can go slowly, warn you when they're going to be working at the back of your mouth etc. Mine adjusts the seat into a more upright position which apparently helps reduce the gag reflex. Try breathing through your nose and wiggling your toes (sounds weird but it helps distract your brain when you start worrying about gagging). If your reflex is really severe then it might be worth phoning the dentist in advance to see if they can offer any sedation options (not necessarily knocking you out, I think there are other things they can do).

Try breathing through your nose and wiggling your toes (sounds weird but it helps distract your brain when you start worrying about gagging).

This really really works. It's magical.

definitely breathe through your nose - I’ve never done the toe wiggling as well but why not! The minute I try to breathe through my mouth I gag, so the whole time in my head I’m repeating a little mantra “in through the nose, out through the nose” to keep me focused! Someone also told me smiling suppresses the gag reflex, which is pretty difficult to do when you have X-ray bits in your mouth, but seems to work when I have to deal with really grim smelling stuff.

Talk to your dentist about it. I’m sure they will have advice

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I have spoken to the dentist when we were discussing my treatment.I swoped my dentist to another in the practice as the previous one wasn’t sympathetic to me gagging every time he had to take an x ray.
The current dentist has given me a gum shield ‘trainer’ to help me get used to the feelings but it’s not working. I keep dry retching. The treatment starts Wednesday and I’m looking forward to the end result but dreading the time in the dentist chair!