Combating the Hypersensitive Gag Reflex in Patients Undergoing Dental Treatment – A Review

ABSTRACT

Gag reflex is a complex physiologic reflex which can leadto a compromised dental treatment and can prove a barrierfor optimal patient care and management. This gag reflexis protective in nature, but can present a bewildering,annoying and frustrating problem during various dentalprocedures. The aim of this article is to review normal gagreflex, neurophysiology of gag reflex, factors associated withetiology of gagging and role of different methods to managegagging during routine dental procedures.