I’ve actually wanted to write about this for quite a while, and since we were recently talking about strep, it seems like a good time to bring it up.

In my experience as a doctor, there are a surprising number of people who really struggle with the whole “say ‘Ahh’ ” thing.

For example, some people will cooperatively open their mouths, but they don’t say “ahh” at all.

No sound. Nothing.

I’ve literally had to repeat my request several times (without response) before I simply give up. They don’t act like they’re trying to be defiant, they just don’t seem to be able to say “ahh.” It’s kinda funny.

Most of the time, though, patients try to be helpful and compliant. They open up and stick out their tongue and do the best “ahh” that they can.

Sometimes it works, but sometimes we have to reach for that dreaded wooden popsicle stick (aka tongue depressor)….

… and most likely gag you with it.

🙁

Sorry.

So, how do we improve our “Say Ahh” technique so that we can avoid getting gagged by a popsicle stick?

Well, the first thing is to know what the doctor is really trying to see.

We want to see the very back of the throat.

Not the tongue. Not the mouth.

The very back – the oropharynx.

If we can see that, then we can see the tonsils, uvula and everything else.

The best way to open up the mouth to see back there is to raise the soft palate and drop your tongue – keeping it inside your mouth (not sticking it out).

It’s hard to describe this in words, but instead of making an “Aaaa” sound as in “apple” it’s better to make a deep/low “Aww” sound as in “awesome.”

The more you can drop your tongue in your mouth the better – you should even be able to see your Adam’s apple lower in your neck (at least for men).

You’re trying to create as much space between the top of your mouth and your tongue as possible – like you’ve got an imaginary ball in the back of your throat.

So, go ahead, give it a try!

Go over to the mirror, grab a flashlight or your phone, and practice.

You’ll know the difference. If you can only see a big, fat tongue, you’re doing it wrong 🙂 . But if you drop the tongue and get that soft palate up, you’ll be able to see all the way back.

Another way to tell if you’re doing it right is that you should be able to move the maximum amount of air possible through your mouth when you breathe – like you just ran a marathon and you’re breathing hard through your mouth. If the air through your mouth sounds tight or wheezy, you’ve got to open up the back a bit more.

Honestly, once you get the feel for it, you don’t even have to ‘say Ahh!’ You can just open it up and there you go! You can go back to being one of those people who doesn’t seem to know how to say “ahh” in the first place!

Only we won’t care if you say it or not cuz we can see everything we need to see!

Ok. There you have it: how to say “ahh” and never get the popsicle stick!

The next time your doctor asks you to “say ‘ahh'” they’ll be thoroughly impressed with your well-developed technique!