GAG REFLEX IN DENTISTRY: WHAT CAN WE DO?

The gag reflex is a mechanism which prevents unwanted objects from entering the pharynx, larynx or trachea. Due to some reasons, the mechanism of this reflex could be damaged and impede on oral-health related behaviors and oral health of individuals. Besides, dentists face problems during dental diagnostic procedures and dental treatment of these patients according to the severity of the problem. It would be helpful for a dentist to be able to identify problematic gagging of a patient before starting dental diagnostic and treatment procedures. Problematic gag reflex could be assessed with special designed questionnaires before starting a dental procedure of the patient. Behavioral approaches, complementary medicine therapies and pharmacological techniques are methods used for the treatment of patients with problematic gagging. The aim of this article is to describe problematic gagging and give information about the special designed scales, and the techniques which could be applied for the elimination of the problem. Keywords: Gagging, dentistry, questionnaires, dental treatment DİŞ HEKİMLİĞİNDE KUSMA REFLEKSİ: NE YAPABİLİRİZÖZ Kusma refleksi istenmeyen cisimlerin farinks, larinks ve trakeadan girişini engelleyen bir mekanizmadır. Birta- kım etkenler bu mekanizmanın normal çalışmasını bozarak bireylerin oral hijyeni alışkanlıklarını ve oral sağlığını etkileyebilmektedir. Bununla birlikte, diş hekimleri de dental diagnostik prosedürlerde ve dental tedavi sırasında durumun şiddetine göre birtakım problemler yaşayabilmektedir. Bu işlemlerin öncesinde diş hekiminin hastada sorun yaratacak bir kusma refleksinin olup olmadığını belirlemesi hekime yardımcı olacaktır. Hekimler hastalarında problem oluşturacak kusma refleksi olup olmadığı tedaviye başlamadan önce özel skalalar yardımı ile değerlendirebilmektedir. Problem yaratacak düzeyde kusma refleksi bulunan hastaların tedavilerinde davranışsal yaklaşımlar, tamamlayıcı medikal terapiler ve farmakolojik teknikler kullanılmaktadır. Bu makalenin amacı dental işlemler sırasında problem oluşturan kusma refleksini tanımlamak, refleksin belirlenmesi için kullanılabilecek skalaları ve problemin eliminasyonu için uygulana- bilecek yöntemler hakkında bilgi vermektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Kusma, diş hekimliği, anket, dental tedavi

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Gagging, dentistry, questionnaires

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