Hawthorn Dental Care
65 Linda Cres
Hawthorn 3122
T 03 9818 8011
Information sheet from www.hawthorndental.com.au

Mouthguards

Next time you get a mouthguard made get a friend to hold your hand!

Actually what you need to do is get someone to apply pressure onto the central region of the palm of your hand. This has been shown to lessen the gag reflex. In a 2008 research article (Altering the Gag Reflex Via a Palm Pressure Point J Am Dent Assoc Oct 01, 2008; 139: 1365-1372.) the researcher reported that while it was known that acupunture to the ear or forearm can lessen the gagging reflex it is difficult to arrange this in a dental surgery. Based on finding from working with children with feeding delays a group of collegue students were tested with pressure to the palm of the hand and this was found more effective than a placebo, in making people less sensitive to stimuli that causes gagging.

Gagging is a really important reflex for protecting us from swallowing or breathing in unwanted substance. Some people are so sensitized that they can gag by just thinking about spoons etc. Try the pressure to the palm of the hand technique next time you get a mouthguard impression!

Get the facts from the Australian Dental Association

Go to www.mouthguardawareness.info

Download information sheets from the ADA web site

• Choosing a mouthguard - PDF - 120 KB
• Why wear a mouthguard - PDF - 120 KB
• Dealing with accidents - PDF - 120 KB
  

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