Nausea reflex; is a natural defense mechanism of the body to prevent foreign objects from entering the throat. However, the intensity of this reflex varies from person to person, and some psychological factors and pregnancy can also increase this reflex.
Some people experience intense nausea and the urge to gag during brushing their teeth. This sensation can be so strong that they may not be able to tolerate putting the toothbrush into their mouth or touching it to their tongue.

For those experiencing intense nausea and gagging during brushing, here are some suggestions:

1- It is not possible to gag while breathing through the nose. Therefore, you can reduce the nausea reflex by focusing on breathing through your nose.

2- Try methods to distract yourself, such as squeezing a stress ball or tightening and relaxing your fingers while brushing.

3- Mentholated toothpaste may cause sensitivity, so try different flavors. Also, the foam created by the toothpaste can cause nausea; in this case, it is better to brush with just water.

4- Try using smaller and softer toothbrushes.

5- Sabahları boş mideyle diş fırçalamak veya hamilelik sırasında fırçalamak da zor olabilir. Öncesinde tuzlu bir şeyler, havuç veya yoğurt yemeyi deneyin.

6- Try to distract yourself by listening to music or watching videos.

7- Use thin and stick-shaped dental floss instead of long dental floss to minimize obstruction in your mouth.

For the gag reflex during dental procedures:

1- Breathing through the mouth during the procedure can increase the nausea reflex, so take deep breaths through your nose before the procedure. If your nose is blocked, try using nasal sprays.

2- Small amounts of certain sprays or local anesthetics used by dentists that numb the throat area can help during the procedure.

3- Your dentist should try not to place multiple instruments in your mouth during the procedure and avoid touching your tongue or throat with the saliva ejector.

4- Try rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution before the procedure.

5- Sometimes, the tension or fear felt during procedures can increase the reflex. Your dentist should take breaks during the procedure, allowing you to rinse your mouth and relax.

6- Your dentist can talk to you and play calming music to distract you.

7- Humming a song or moving your legs during challenging procedures like taking X-rays can also be helpful.

8- Your dentist should try to keep you in a more upright position without reclining the chair too much.