Gagging Reflex

[jennyjoan]

Am off out now but recently a thread appeared about somebody who didn't want to wash or clean teeth.

Other posters replied they had same problem as in cleaning teeth due to gagging etc. Just wondered how you all cope when dentist tells you to floss your teeth. Do any of you bother. I can't floss at all.

[hc4361]

I can't floss, not because of the gag reflex but my teeth are so crowded together there is no room to get the floss between them. If I do manage to force down it gets stuck and cuts my gum.

[Jomlett]

I use TePe Interdental Brushes for flossing...much better.

[Mamyalynne]

Floss gets tangled and knotted in my mouth also due to overcrowding - I use the interdental brushes as well.

[Daffy6543]

I don't floss, I use interdental brushes and my electric toothbrush has a special head attachment for getting between teeth.

[andy-hughes]

I have no problem with the gag reflex.

Since being diagnosed with sleep aponea, I have had my tonsils and half my soft palatte removed from each side of my gullet - which now resembles both sides of the M6!

I do have trouble brushing my teeth because I loathe having anything platic or metal placed in my mouth.

I have never attempted to floss - it looks gross!

[jennyjoan]

thanks for your replies.

[jennyjoan]

andy how do you cope with going to the dentist

[ubasses]

We use a water flosser, much better and less painful than both flossing string and inter-dental brushes. Recommended by the dentist especially for people who have crowns and/or veneers, of which I have plenty.

[jennyjoan]

Ubasses - googled water flossers there and I am surmising that you only put the flosser AT the teeth and then water should floss/flush out the plaque.

There are different ones ranging from 18.99 to 90 pounds.

[andy-hughes]

jennyjoan - "andy how do you cope with going to the dentist"

Mind over matter - literally!

I used to be so terrified, I had to have valium to get me in the building, never mind up the strairs, through the door and into the chair!

It's not pain, i can cope with that, it is simply the sensation of having hard objects in my mouth.

When one of my children was small, my wife was unable to pick her up from school which meant i had to go, which meant I couldn't have my valium, because of driving. You do it for your kids, so I went without my valium, and the circle was broken.

I do have to make myself go to the dentist, but I do, and I just get through it with sheer willpower.

[jennyjoan]

good for you Andy.