Hyperactive Gag Reflex Associated With Maxillary Posterior Palatal Mucosa

Saloni Kumari^1, , Nadeem Yunus² and Puneet Mahajan²

¹Department of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Inderprastha Dental College and Hospital, CCSU, Uttar Pradesh, India

²3Department of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Inderprastha Dental College and Hospital, CCSU, Uttar Pradesh, India

Cite this paper

Saloni Kumari, Nadeem Yunus and Puneet Mahajan. Hyperactive Gag Reflex Associated With Maxillary Posterior Palatal Mucosa. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2024; 12(4):64-67. doi: 10.12691/AJMCR-12-4-2

Abstract

Body is protected from external and internal dangers through a wide variation of defense mechanisms, some of which are involuntary. Among one of the most common reflex of oral cavity is the gag or pharyngeal reflex that is initiated in response to stimulus in the posterior parts of the oral cavity either in the maxillary or mandibular arch. Posterior palatal region is usually less sensitive to such stimuli, but underlying local and systemic conditions may bring exaggerated gag reflex. We present two cases of gag reflex that were associated with underlying systemic conditions in which one was due to nutritional deficiency and the other due to stress. Both cases presented wide clinical changes in the palatal mucosa including hypersensitive mucosa. One patient being completely edentulous was successfully treated with complete denture prosthesis while other patient received a single implant supported crown. Management of gagging during impression making was achieved by local anesthetic application, and distraction of patient. Both patients expressed their satisfaction with management of gagging and respective clinical treatments.

Keywords

pharyngeal fauces, pharynx, posterior palatal seal area, nausea, retching, gag reflex

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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