Lately, my gag reflex when brushing my teeth has gotten worse. I usually get a mild reaction but lately, it’s so bad that I’d get tears in my eyes. Which works out well since my eyes feel very dry in the morning but I digress.

I once read that modern communication technology only serves to isolate us even more but to that I say, “Maybe not.”

I went and googled “gag reflex brushing teeth” and what do I find? That the problem is quite common and I’m not alone.

From DentalFearCentral.org (what a cool site name!):

Usually, the gag reflex is stronger when brushing back teeth (especially the inside and biting surfaces). Gagging may be less pronounced when you keep your lips closed. Some people find it easiest to start off with brushing the outer surfaces of the lower teeth. Start off with whatever area you find easiest, move slowly, and add other areas on a day-by-day basis until you manage to cover your whole mouth. This may take several weeks.

Or it could be the Colgate 360° toothbrush which I’m using that has a tongue brusher on the back of the head. And it’s a big head. That could be causing me to gag. Heyyyyy, wait a minute … that was sick. Get that filthy image out of your head! :P

On the same page, there’s also advice for if you are not motivated enough to brush your teeth (you filthy animals!):

Visualise how you want your teeth to look like, how they will feel when they are lovely and clean, how they will sound when you can run your finger over your teeth and hear that lovely clean squeak. Imagine running your tongue around them all smooth and clean, better still, imagine someone you fancy running their tongue around your lovely clean teeth!

Now that’s good medical advice!