Gag Reflex

[CheriinMI]

I am experiencing a heightened gag reflex when I brush my teeth. Is this common in people with Parkinson's Disease? Any suggestions for dealing with it?

[Astra7]

When I was pregnant I couldn’t brush my teeth without gagging. In the end I brushed them with salt. If you don’t fancy salt I believe you can buy tooth powder that doesn’t foam so is much better.

The gagging is awful!

[GymBag]

yes it is a non motor symptom like dry eyes, swallowing, constipation and many others sent to bother us. Its a package deal. If PD does not mess you up, the medications side effects will.

The powder is better and also use mouth wash after and gargle it really helps.

[redean]

yes definitely have that too

[burtiblue]

I hadn't heard of anyone else having a gagging problem when brushing their teeth, I thought I was a one off. I wasn't even sure it was because I had Parkinson's. I know now. Not only that the same thing happens when I go to the dentist. The moment they begin poking around in my mouth I begin to gag.

It is unpleasant for me and difficult for the dentist. In order to carry out any work on my teeth I am referred to a hospital where they sedate me while working on my teeth.

[Lbi1608 in reply to burtiblue]

My husband gags when at the dentist. He takes salt to his appointment and sprinkles on his tongue which stops the gagging

[Cbgs]

I experienced the same thing

I use an electric toothbrush so I now choose smaller brushes

Made a huge diff

Good luck

Be well

C!

[Grumpy77]

I don't even know what ' heightened gag reflex' in PD context means

Can anyone explain?

The serious problem i have got when brushing is moving my right hand horizontally when brushing the front part of my teeth. My right hand just seem incapable of moving horizontally on the front part

[Parkie- in reply to Grumpy77]

The exact same thing started a few weeks ago for me too. I see it's been a year for you. Have you found something that helps? Thank you

[Grumpy77 in reply to Parkie-]

Bought an electric toothbrush several months ago, which together with some brute-force helps a little bit... otherwise I still brush with some "pain"

Another thing I do that helps (just a little bit more)... is to take the act of brushing as an "out of my comfort zone PD hand movement exercise". Actually this is the "brute force" I mentioned above

Generally when you do exercises like jogging, cycling... you're pushing against your limits. But we shouldn't limit our exercises to the big movements alone. Even making the small hand movements which we are generally not comfortable with or make with pain, still counts as good exercise which (I strongly believe) slows Parkinson's progression

[Ratzkywatzky]

That’s interesting I was diagnosed in 2016 but had a few strange symptoms before that , in 2012 I told my doctor I had gag reflex when cleaning teeth, he was very dismissive of it meaning anything.....and I think he told me he experienced the same thing! So that sounds like the first time I can say I had symptoms that far back! Never knew it was linked to P D before reading this.