Medical Conditions - Gag Reflex

The gag reflex is a physiological response of the body to prevent choking. Whenever a thing like dentures, tongue cleaner, toothbrush, etc., touches the back of the roof of the mouth or tongue, near the tonsil region, and between the backmost area of the lower last tooth and tongue, there is a contraction of the pharynx as a response to prevent the swallow of foreign objects. It can also be psychogenic. Some are less sensitive, while some experience extreme gagging sensation even with a slight trigger of the regions described above or just by the thought of something unpleasant.