To feel mortified after gagging at the dentist?

[Keepthechangeyafilthyanimal1]

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?

No need to be mortified! I’m a dental hygienist and it happens all day long to loads of people and we don’t think anything of it.

always happens to me - perfectly normal reaction when someone is shoving equipment and stuff in your mouth.
I'm actually a bit better at the moment, as they've gone a bit low tech, so its just the dentist, rather than dentist with kit plus assistant with water-rinsing-vacuumy-thing at the same time.

Whew - another benefit of covid I'd not thought of!

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

This thread has made me feel so much better

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

I bit my orthodontist, so don't feel too bad. I did it on purpose too as he refused to remove a mould from my mouth which was making me gag. My excuse was that I was 14 at the time. Probably wouldn't deliberately bite someone in my 30's.

@imnotbent
I was coming on to say about the finger sucking MNer (in response to Dentist saying: 'suction' to the dental assistant.
But I must say I like the exchange between the mum and daughter at the Covid drive through upthread too.