FYI
At the dentist last week, I learnt a new way to stifle my gag reflex. Some members of my readership might find this of particular interest, so I thought I would share it with you all.
I was taught, also at the dentist, many years ago that holding one's tongue completely still will stifle one's gag reflex. This has always served me very well at the dentist, but last week it turned out to not be enough. I have reached an age where they like to do a more complete set of X-rays than they've done in the past, which they apparently will do every five years. This involves putting those plastic bite-down tabs rather farther back, nearly in my throat. Holding my tongue still didn't stifle my gag reflex, so my dental hygienist taught me a new trick. "Hold up your leg," she said. I lifted my leg a bit, and left it there while the tabs went in and X-rays were taken. No gagging. Apparently lifting your leg that little bit - only a few inches from where it had been lying on the dentist's chair as I was lying back - tightens your stomach muscles a bit, which for some reason stifles the gag reflex further.
So the next time you are "at the dentist" (envision air quotes here) and need your gag reflex stifling, just lift your leg a few inches and hold it while you're ... doing whatever it is you might be doing "at the dentist" (more air quotes). I promise that you will not look the slightest bit silly. Your "dental hygienist" will thank you.
I was taught, also at the dentist, many years ago that holding one's tongue completely still will stifle one's gag reflex. This has always served me very well at the dentist, but last week it turned out to not be enough. I have reached an age where they like to do a more complete set of X-rays than they've done in the past, which they apparently will do every five years. This involves putting those plastic bite-down tabs rather farther back, nearly in my throat. Holding my tongue still didn't stifle my gag reflex, so my dental hygienist taught me a new trick. "Hold up your leg," she said. I lifted my leg a bit, and left it there while the tabs went in and X-rays were taken. No gagging. Apparently lifting your leg that little bit - only a few inches from where it had been lying on the dentist's chair as I was lying back - tightens your stomach muscles a bit, which for some reason stifles the gag reflex further.
So the next time you are "at the dentist" (envision air quotes here) and need your gag reflex stifling, just lift your leg a few inches and hold it while you're ... doing whatever it is you might be doing "at the dentist" (more air quotes). I promise that you will not look the slightest bit silly. Your "dental hygienist" will thank you.
