These trials reported both completion of dental procedure and reduction in gagging (assessor and patient reported) as their outcomes. One trial compared acupuncture at P6 point to sham acupuncture. We included four trials at unclear risk of bias with 328 participants (263 adults and 65 children who were four years or older), in which one trial compared acupuncture and acupressure (with thumb, device and sea band) at P6 (point located three-finger breadths below the wrist on the inner forearm in between the two tendons) to sham acupuncture and acupressure with and without sedation.

We suggest that more well-conducted studies should be done in this area. We do not have enough evidence to say which intervention works better to manage gagging in people having dental treatment. This was due to unclear risk of bias and the small number of people studied in the four included trials. The level of belief we have in these findings is very low. The included studies did not report any important harmful effects of the treatment. Laser at P6 point showed a difference in absence of gagging and reduction in gagging during dental treatment when compared to sham laser application. It did not show a difference when combined with sedation. Acupressure at P6 point with device showed a difference in completing dental treatment and reduction in gagging. The same intervention with sedation did not show a difference.Īcupressure (with thumb or sea band (bands that fit around the wrist just like a sweat band with a pressure stud sewn inside)) at P6 point with or without sedation did not show any difference when compared to sham acupressure. These people had nausea before when having dental treatment that caused the treatment to be stopped or not carried out properly.Īcupuncture at P6 point (a point located in the inside of the wrist) showed uncertain evidence regarding the successful completion of dental treatment and reduction in gagging when compared to sham (fake) acupuncture. We included four trials with 328 people (263 adults and 65 children who were 4 years or older). This review is up-to-date as of 18 March 2019. We compared them to no intervention or a placebo or to other interventions. We wanted to know how effective and safe these interventions are in helping people complete their dental treatment with less gagging. The interventions used to manage gagging include anti-nausea medicines, sedatives, local and general anaesthetics, herbal remedies, behaviour therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, laser, and prosthetic devices. This can make it difficult or even impossible to perform the treatment. Many people have an exaggerated gag reflex that causes distress during dental treatment. The gag reflex is a normal process to protect the throat and airway from foreign objects and prevent choking. With this Cochrane Review we tried to find out the best way to manage gagging in people having dental treatment.

Oral care of patient with no gag reflex