The gag reflex, or pharyngeal reflex, is a contraction of the back of the throat when the roof of the mouth, back of the tongue or back of the throat is touched. It is an evolutionary adaptation designed to keep anything from entering the throat except when swallowing. It also prevents you from choking.
The degree of reaction varies from person to person, but can be severe for some people. In addition to the throat contraction, some people may have other reactions such as retching, coughing and even vomiting. In psychogenic gagging, the gag reflex can occur without direct contact, but with just the thought of the stimulus, such as with a dental intervention.
Having a gag reflex may be a problem for people wanting to get dentures because the top denture rests on the palate, or roof of the mouth. Usually patients who have an extreme gagging reflex are aware of it, and should inform the dentist about it during consultation before denture treatment begins. Sometimes dentures will not be suitable for such patients, and other treatment options should be considered. In any case, the dentist will perform tactile tests to identify patients who have a strong enough gag reflex which might preclude the use of dentures.
The dentist may recommend that the individual try using a trial appliance to simulate the effect of having a denture on the palate. The patient will be asked to use the appliance several hours per day to see if they can adjust to it. If they can adjust, this will indicate the patient will be an appropriate candidate for dentures. Depending upon how far forward on the patient’s palate the area of sensitivity exists, the dentist may be able to resolve the gagging issue in a given case by trimming the back of the top denture. Some patients with a severe gag reflex have had success in controlling the reflex action with acupuncture treatments. It is possible that the dentist may suggest this option.
