I don't have a fear of the dentist or going, even my father-in-law was a dentist and he kept my teeth in good order until his retirement over 15 years ago. The search was on for a new dentist which I found. For many years no problem, but then in the last 18 months a new procedure was introduced which was the start of my gagging reflex problem.
Many many years, I have had a local anaesthetic for any fillings required, which is fine, your numbed up, then they get on with it. Even you tongue goes a little numb.. great a don't feel too much in my mouth. Then, he introduced a new procedure that didn't include an injection, to freeze your mouth, just a probe that is run round the tooth to be worked on, with stops the nerve responding (making unresponsive without an injection) hence none of that 3 or 4 hours with a numb side of your face. Great in theory, but not for me.
Ok, your face isn't numb, but you can feel everything jammed into your mouth, hence the gag reflex comes on quickly. This is what triggered my gag reflex fear and big problem for me. I asked if he could freeze my mouth, but was told no, 'we don't do that any more' and the gagging problem is MY problem. Great, this is where I went to find a new dentist who does.
As you can imagine, I'd built up a fear now of my embarrassing gagging reflex kicking in a soon as I opened my mouth. The lady dentist was fantastic and reassured me it wasn't a problem. That reassurance was the first step in dealing with the gag problem. she also gave me a couple of ideas to help me whilst she was rebuilding my molar.
1. Breath consistently and slowly through your nose which apparently makes you use different muscles in your throat which in turn helps the gagging reflex not kick in.
2. Lift your hand if you want me to stop and it dosen't matter how many times ( I think I got to 15 times?? lol)
Here is some of my tips as well:
1. Concentrate on lifting on foot about 6 inches up off the dentist chair and hold it up! That certainly takes your mind off things with the concentration (tones up your thighs too..)
2. Do a times table in your head and try and go as far as you can with it
3. Before you go into the surgery, spray your mouth and throat with Vicks antiseptic mouth spray for sore throats which numbs your mouth a bit (see this product details right side of this blog)
All these combined helped me get two back molars sorted both 45 minute appointments and helped build up my confidence. The main start is an understanding dentist for starters, don't be afraid of explaining things like I did. They appreciate this and it makes everyone's lives easier.
Good luck and If I come up with any other ideas I will post. Not back for a checkup now until April 2014 but you never know, more work might pop up. Thanks for reading :) Any other ideas or experiences, please post in comments below.
