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The sucking reflex seems to belong with the rooting reflex. It is present before birth, and also aids in breastfeeding. It causes the child to instinctively begin to suck on anything that touches the roof of their mouth. This reflex is common to mammals, and specifically designed to express milk through the breastfeeding process. There are two stages to the action.
The gag reflex is elicited by stroking the pharyngeal mucosa with a cotton-tipped applicator or tongue depressor. A gag reflex can be elicited in most normal persons. However, absence of a gag reflex does not necessarily indicate that a patient is unable to swallow safely. Indeed, many persons with an absent gag reflex have normal swallowing, and some patients with dysphagia have a normal gag reflex.