Does anyone else hate dental x rays??

[cheesywotsit62]

I think I’m unusual for this as everyone else I’ve asked is fine with them!
I’m due x rays soon and I can’t stand them. The reason is they make me gag!
Last time I got them done I had to ask the dentist to use a ‘smaller’ plate as I just couldn’t cope with the normal sized one. Not great as she did explain they wouldn’t be able to see as much.
Even the smaller plate was awful!
Does anyone else have this problem??

I’ve found my fellow gaggers!! The only way I’ve found that helps is to super focus on my breathing. Literally imagining the air inhaling into my nose and out of my mouth. The same concept I guess of literally distracting yourself by wiggling your toes as mentioned above. But key for me is the visualisation, just to get me through it.

I gag at the whole process though, from the minute they stick the squirty water thing in my mouth to do a check up. My saliva glands go into overdrive! I’m a dental nightmare.

@hopefulsquirrel I think you are talking about a different process.
I was given a small bit of plastic to bite on that was just at the front to separate the teeth.
It wasn't something that went to the back of the throat or even really over the tongue so there was no gag reflex to trigger.

A mirror helps too. I discovered during covid with twice a week lft that you don't gag if you see it coming.

Recently had to have private dental work done and discovered the joys of fancy private xray machines... omg,you just stand against a wall and it takes the cray, no gagging or choking! I loathe the plates, I circle my ankle if I have to have them done , it distracts me from gagging.

I hate the dentist full stop. Makes me feel like I'm suffocating or drowning depending on what they are doing. I can feel my heart racing and I shake. I have a really brilliant dentist who knows I'm anxious but I still dread every check up. I'm generally not a person who is scared much by anything at all and I have a really high pain threshold . For some reason the dentist tips me over the edge!

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor yes that sound similar to my experience.

I had some today. Usually i dread it a little bit because it has been shoved into my mouth before, which hurts. Thankfully it was fine today

Smile whilst having it done - smiling helps to suppress your gag reflex

You're welcome :)

Yes! Cannot stand them. The plates are so uncomfortable and I just want to throw up or spit them out. There must surely be a better way?

I bite down on something the size if an old fashioned camera film negative. Doesn't make me gag. It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's for about 30 seconds.

Had them last week. Final one took three attempts but the dentist was lovely.

I have to practically meditate for moulds though 🤢

Yes but not due to gagging which is odd as I usually have a very sensitive gag reflex.
I find that it always cuts the inside of my mouth and hurts then for a couple of days afterwards.

A throat numbing antiseptic spray can help OP - I’m the same as you and had to have a night guard made and the nurse suggested it and it was easier with that…