Has baby been spoon-fed only soft food up to this point ie have you been following traditional weaning, or baby-led weaning?
perhaps try making her food chunkier to encourage chewing - it is a skill learnt, because if food is smooth, baby is used to swallowing without chewing. also offer finger foods for an opportunity to practice.
it is important to understand gagging vs choking. babies are protected by their gag reflex as they learn to move food around in their mouths
it is also important to remove any distraction during mealtimes, and eat together as a family so baby can focus on food and modelling after the adults