To feel mortified after gagging at the dentist?

Keepthechangeyafilthyanimal1 · 2021-04-07T21:17:11+00:00

I was in for a hygienist appointment today. I have quite a sensitive gag reflex and dental anxiety, but I hadn’t gagged at the dentist for several years until today. I have no idea why, she was cleaning for a good 30 minutes so maybe it just went on too long for me to cope with. I tried breathing through my nose, thinking calming thoughts but it just happened. I felt mortified afterwards, but she was able to carry on. I feel so ridiculous, does this happen to anyone else? Any ideas of what else to try to prevent it?

Choice4567 · 07/04/2021 22:19

Not much useful advice except it’s happened to me and I just assumed it was normal! Doesn’t that happen to everyone?

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/04/2021 22:29

Oh yeah, I gag all the time, also I've had my jaw get stuck, locked open, once it was stuck for around 10 minutes and the dentist was getting quite stroppy with me, she couldn't boot me out like that but seemed to think shouting at me to relax would help some how.. it didn't!

Boxtroll · 07/04/2021 22:51

I'm an ex dental nurse.
Gagging during a dental appointment is so common! Please try to not worry about it.
If it makes you feel any better, I've had patients fart loudly before which is probably more embarrassing than gagging!

I found there wasn't really much the patient could do to prevent it, it's more about the dentist/hygienist/nurse being careful with how they are positioning the tools. Stopping for a breather can help though and trying to do deep breaths.

dappledsunshine · 07/04/2021 22:52

@WiddlinDiddlin

Oh yeah, I gag all the time, also I've had my jaw get stuck, locked open, once it was stuck for around 10 minutes and the dentist was getting quite stroppy with me, she couldn't boot me out like that but seemed to think shouting at me to relax would help some how.. it didn't!

What a crap dentist! My jaw sometimes sticks too, you'd expect the dentist to have some techniques to deal with it rather then shouting at you to relax!

I wouldn't worry op, I'd imagine it's a common occurrence, you're likely to be way more bothered about it then the hygienist.

Kenshi · 07/04/2021 23:07

I wouldn't be too worried about that, dentists will have seen just about everything. I always feel bad about my teeth not being great when I go but I'm sure they've seen much worse! Simply gagging is something they probably see just about every day, it's totally normal.

UnderHisAye · 07/04/2021 23:09

I once had a hygienist get me in trouble, saying 'you should have warned me you have a strong gag reflex before I started'

As if I knew what my gag reflex was like compared to other peoples'

I never went back to her; nothing like being talked down to while someone has a metal spike in your mouth.

LeviAckerman · 07/04/2021 23:12

I gag all the time (and have dental anxiety too)! And then it starts me crying, proper heaving sobs. I can’t help it.

My dentist is great about it. Always makes sure the nurse doing the suction thing knows not to put it too far back, takes extra breaks and just lets me have a breather, always tells me what she's going to do before she does. She's very calm and reassuring.

Does your dentist know about your anxiety and gag reflex? If you haven’t talked through it with them I'd do that asap. I haven’t found any tricks to help me unfortunately, just an understanding dentist.

AcornAutumn · 07/04/2021 23:17

You mean retching?

This won't be popular but I don't go to the hygienist. It's a revolting experience and the last time they did tooth polishing only because I can't cope with the scraping machine thingy.

Even my grandma who lived to 90 was fine with her teeth and she never saw a hygienist either. I have regular floss and a water flosser. The dentist didn't say anything after I told him I won't be going anymore.

Cattenberg · 07/04/2021 23:21

If it makes you feel any better, I went to the dentist two weeks ago and the dentist wanted to feel my jaw and neck. Unfortunately, I’m very, very ticklish. I let the dentist know this and I really tried to stay still, but after several seconds I just couldn’t take it anymore and slid down the chair giggling. I felt like a four-year-old.

DracarysThis · 07/04/2021 23:29

My dentist and I now laugh about my lack of gag reflex, after telling me I nearly swallowed his instrument during my first visit.

More embarrassing was when mum and I had to get tested for covid, she was choking whereas I tipped my head back and shoved it in, no problem. As I wound down the car window the poor women collecting the samples heard my mum hiss at me: " just what have you been doing you don't gag at all!" I got the last laughter pet mums hand before looking at the women and going "boy, the dementia is bad today, I think she missed her nap"

AcornAutumn · 07/04/2021 23:32

@DracarysThis

My dentist and I now laugh about my lack of gag reflex, after telling me I nearly swallowed his instrument during my first visit.

More embarrassing was when mum and I had to get tested for covid, she was choking whereas I tipped my head back and shoved it in, no problem. As I wound down the car window the poor women collecting the samples heard my mum hiss at me: " just what have you been doing you don't gag at all!" I got the last laughter pet mums hand before looking at the women and going "boy, the dementia is bad today, I think she missed her nap"

😂😂😂😂 Needed the laugh, thank you.

Waroftherosesandsome · 07/04/2021 23:34

I get a sort of pool of water in my mouth .. that freakes me out !

FizzyPink · 07/04/2021 23:35

Honestly I gag the whole way through dentist appointments. Even with the smallest X-ray plates he has to dash out the room as soon as it’s in or I have to spit it out.
He always makes me lift up one leg and then concentrate on keeping it lifted which apparently helps. It does bugger all but I go along with it to humour him

Rtmhwales · 07/04/2021 23:35

I gag constantly and have thrown up on two dental people. I warn them ahead of time.

After years of this we've tried many dental tricks including using children's X-ray bites/equipment and putting numbing gel on the roof of my mouth which for some reason stops the gag reflex.

Kenshi · 07/04/2021 23:36

@Cattenberg

If it makes you feel any better, I went to the dentist two weeks ago and the dentist wanted to feel my jaw and neck. Unfortunately, I’m very, very ticklish. I let the dentist know this and I really tried to stay still, but after several seconds I just couldn’t take it anymore and slid down the chair giggling. I felt like a four-year-old.

This made me laugh so much! Laughter in an awkward situation is fab imo.

bubblebubblebubbletrouble · 07/04/2021 23:39

I have this issue every time at the dentist. When my ex dentist left he wrote it on my handover notes 🤣😂

Pericombobulations · 07/04/2021 23:44

This happens to me too. My dentist cant use normal X-ray plates in mouth as I gag as soon as look at them. I also gag when cleaning my teeth and ndiscovered saying ahh makes me gag - which makes taking the Covid tests a great deal of fun NOT!

Have a new hygenist who seems a lot more used to those of us who gag, she doesnt always have an assistant and gets the patient to do the suction which she said makes people gag a lot less. They also use the small noozle on the suction which helps too.

LemonSwan · 07/04/2021 23:51

Currently I am gagging all of over my coworkers four times a week for covid tests.

I can assure you that is much more embarassing but we are all doing it - its normal.

starfishmummy · 07/04/2021 23:56

Mh worst was having an impression made for a mouth guard. It was more than jjst retching and there was orange goo (the impression material) flying all over the room and the poor dentist. Probably some snot too.

BlueTiles · 07/04/2021 23:58

@Cattenberg

If it makes you feel any better, I went to the dentist two weeks ago and the dentist wanted to feel my jaw and neck. Unfortunately, I’m very, very ticklish. I let the dentist know this and I really tried to stay still, but after several seconds I just couldn’t take it anymore and slid down the chair giggling. I felt like a four-year-old.

This is hilarious!

I bit my dentist the other day

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 08/04/2021 00:00

I always announce it before they start and tell them I'll give them a signal when I need a moment. I got through a significant dental surgery doing that.

Pottedpalm · 08/04/2021 00:06

@starfishmummy

Mh worst was having an impression made for a mouth guard. It was more than jjst retching and there was orange goo (the impression material) flying all over the room and the poor dentist. Probably some snot too.

I second this! I still have nightmares many decades after orthodontic treatment at Birmingham Dental Hospital. The poor student assigned to taking an impression of my upper teeth was sweating and I was crying by the time it was done. I have a really strong gag reflex.

Scarby9 · 08/04/2021 00:14

I have a very sensitive gag reflex but can mostly cope at the dentist.
Lateral flow tests however - thank goodness I do those in the privacy of my own home...

JesusIsAnyNameFree · 08/04/2021 01:44

I wish all I had done at the dentist was gag. I bit mine.

Imnotbent · 08/04/2021 02:01

Does anyone remember the poster who sucked the dentists finger when she heard him say “suction”? 🤣

I gag all the time and have managed to have a lot of dental work done including impressions and X-rays. My dentist breathes with me, tells me how many seconds etc, he says it’s worse if you try to hold your breath.