I'm a huge gagger and need advice please

[neilyoungismyhero]

Thought the title might engender more interest and replies ...this post is about a dental plate.
I've had 2 previous plates but just couldn't manage to overcome my gag reflex. It's got to the stage now where I really need a plate not just cosmetically but to assist with actual eating. The plate looks very nice and I'm so pleased but it's the same old issue. Has anyone got any tips or advice how to manage the gagging please. I seem to go into panic mode when it's inside my mouth.

I have a son with sensory issues and when he goes to the orthodontist she has exercises he does to stop him gagging. He does circles with his feet and uses a fidget toy and it works !

Hi OP, is it a plate that is pink plastic or a thin metal chrome?

Could you see a speech and language therapist? Probably have to do it privately. But they are good at desensitising mouths.

How did you manage when the dentist took the moulds of your mouth?

Have you tried just wearing it for short periods (10 minutes at first) and building up?

Yes my dentist does the same but not sure how this would help me on a daily basis.

It's the pink plate. She has said she will trim it as much as possible for me but when I had a smaller plate I had the same issue.

Sadly not in my budget but appreciate the suggestion.

I did what a PP mentioned. The dentist told me to lift and rotate my feet etc. and it worked a treat but when I had my last fitting within 30 seconds I was off..
I did try to do it slowly with my last 2 but couldn't stop the gagging. I just need to get on with it this time just not sure how.

When I was a dental student in the 1980s, and when dentures were ten a penny, we advised patients to place a teaspoon on their tongue and gradually keep it in place for longer periods of time. It's a very old technique and with the development of newer types of treatment options many younger dentists have far less experience with dentures, so don't know some of the tricks of the trade. There are many with dentures.

If you start with it on the tip of your tongue and gradually move it back. but as soon as you start to feel gaggy then remove it. It's a psychological problem because if it was a lolly pop you probably wouldn't have a problem. A plastic spoon would be best. such as a baby feeding spoon which has smooth edges.

With severe gagging I often compromise with a side plate design of denture and don't extend the denture over the whole of the palate. There may be less teeth replaced but with a modern diet we no longer need molar teeth for chewing.
Young dentists are often a little zealous with regards to dentures, often replacing a single posterior tooth unnecessarily.
Flexidentures are another option.

Oh yes, the dentist told me to do the ankle circling exercise too,it worked!