Whether at the dentist or while trying to swallow something with an unfavorable taste, the natural gag reflex that nearly all human beings experience can be very troublesome.

There are a couple of reasons why the body might react in this way.

The first is a physical reaction to a fear of breathing or swallowing being disrupted. This could come as a result of something being placed too far to the back of the mouth.

The gag reflex can also be a psychological response as a result of past experience or certain fears.

Whatever the reason, there are often times when it would be better to stop the reaction before it starts.

While in the dentist chair, a person can try a few different things to prevent the gagging sensation.

Breathing through the nose, for instance, can relax that reflex. It may be necessary to pay close attention to each breath, in order to force the act of breathing through the nose, rather than the mouth.

If this does not help, then there are certain chloraseptic sprays that can numb the back of the mouth a throat enough to prevent gagging.

Even coating the tongue with table salt has been shown to reduce the urge to gag.

These tips and many more can assist dentists and patients in ensure that necessary procedures are done without added headaches.

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