Adults with Gag Reflex

Heather E. Martinson • August 12, 2024

Having a sensitive gag reflex can make it difficult to receive comfortable dental care. The second you feel dental tools like a mouth mirror on your tongue, your gag reflex kicks in, forcing you to change positions and likely exacerbating your anxiety.

If this sounds familiar, know that you're not alone. Very Well Health reports that an estimated 10-15% of people have a hypersensitive gag reflex.

What are dentists doing to address this common problem? While not all offices are prepared to provide gag reflex solutions, you can find a dentist who offers sedation, such as Heather Martinson, DDS.

How does sedation dentistry help? What other gag reflex solutions can you try? Read on to find out.

What Causes Adult Gag Reflex?

Finding a solution to your adult gag reflex often starts with understanding the cause. Believe it or not, gag reflexes can result from both physical and mental factors. Let's take a closer look.

Physical Causes

Adult gag reflexes can have ties to a variety of physical conditions. These include (but aren't limited to):

Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Nasal obstruction or deviated septum
Multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders

If your sensitive gag reflex is new or seems to come and go, it could be tied to conditions that cause post-nasal drip, like allergies or sinusitis. While this may pass with time, ongoing or constant physical causes may require medical intervention.

Psychological Causes

Believe it or not, your gag reflex could be a reflection of what's going on in your mind. We work with patients who experience dental anxiety due to factors like:

Negative experiences with dentists in the past
Fear of loss of control
Embarrassment or shame surrounding oral health

When you experience anxiety, it can trigger your fight-or-flight and vagus responses, which in turn can stimulate your gag reflex. Finding anxiety relief may eliminate this type of gag response.

Sensory Triggers

Sensitivity to certain sensory experiences can also trigger the gag response. For example, some patients may gag due to:

The smell of dental cleaning products like fluoride
The sensation of certain dental tools in the mouth
The sound of dental tools like electric toothbrushes

This sensory sensitivity could be tied to an overall stress response or could be a symptom of a condition like neurodivergence.

Gag Reflex Solutions

There are several different ways to seek relief from a sensitive gag reflex. Let's explore relaxation techniques, physical strategies, and sedation dentistry methods that can help patients with gag reflexes get through their next dental appointment.

Relaxation Techniques

If you believe that your gag reflex stems from anxiety, you may want to try some relaxation techniques before and during your next appointment. Mayo Clinic offers a great breakdown of techniques like:

Autogenic relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation
Visualization

For some patients, distraction can work wonders. Ask your dentist about wearing headphones to listen to soothing music or a podcast during your appointment.

Physical Strategies

You can use a few physical strategies to reduce or cut off your gag reflex. The strategy you use should reflect the source of your gag reflex, with examples including:

Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth
Taking a nasal decongestant to control post-nasal drip
Sitting upright for your appointment
Lifting both legs when you feel the urge to gag

Make sure you communicate with your dentist about what strategies you plan to use and why. They may even have a few tricks you can try that you aren't aware of!

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a great resource for adults with a hypersensitive gag reflex. Even light sedation can induce a calming effect on the mind and body, preventing the gag reflex from occurring during an appointment.

Sedation is common for certain procedures, like root canals and wisdom tooth removal. However, not all dentists will use sedation for routine appointments. Make sure you work with a dentist who offers sedation as part of their compassionate approach.

Working With a Dentist That Offers Sedation

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, sedation is considered the most effective tool for dental patients with hypersensitive gag reflexes. Here are the steps to take when working with a dentist that offers sedation.

Communicate With Your Dentist

First and foremost, you'll need to communicate your needs before your next appointment. Call your dental office directly or ask to schedule a consultation. To provide sedation at your appointment, we will need to:

Learn about your medical history
Discuss your specific needs and expectations
Potentially schedule our anesthesiologist for your appointment

This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your upcoming appointment.

Talk About Sedation Options for Adults

During this initial conversation or consultation, discuss the different sedation options and their pros and cons. These options include:

Oral sedation
Inhaled sedation
IV sedation
General anesthesia

For mild cases of anxiety-induced gagging, light sedation in the form of a pill or nitrous oxide can make a huge difference. We're more likely to use a bigger dose of oral or inhaled sedation for more serious gag reflexes.

Plan Your Appointment Day Accordingly

The type of sedation you choose will impact what you can and can't do on the day of your appointment. Your dentist will tell you in advance if you need to abstain from eating (or eat only a light meal) before your appointment.

In all cases, we require that patients have a ride home from their appointments. While you can take a rideshare to your appointment, we request that your driver be a trusted friend or family member post-sedation.

Get Compassionate Sedation Dentistry in Arlington, TX

If you're an adult with a sensitive gag reflex, you may benefit from working with a dentist who offers sedation for non-invasive appointments like dental cleanings. Even mild sedation can allow many patients to get through their dental care without gagging.

Heather Martinson, DDS, offers compassionate dental care in Arlington, TX. Our sedation dentistry makes dental appointments accessible to patients with anxiety, sensitive gag reflexes, and more. Learn more about our holistic approach to family dental care.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.