…When I brush my teeth.
Does this happen to other dopers? As soon as I move from my front teeth to anywhere else in my mouth, I gag like there’s no tomorrow.
When I brush my tongue, I’m heaving like a Salty Tar.
Am I alone?
Maybe you’re pregnant. I had to give up using my Sonicare during the first trimester because I gagged to much.
It’s mainly a conditioned reflex, which you can train yourself out of if you’re patient. Just try brushing the sensitive areas very slowly and gradually increase the contact.
No, you’re not alone. I gag almost every time I brush. I finally got smart and starting brushing my teeth in the shower every morning. Now on the days that I actually throw up (maybe a few times a month), the cleanup is much easier.
I have found it really helps to lean up against the cold tile and breathe deeply.
This also happens to my brother, if that makes you feel any better!
I don’t know how common it is, but you certainly aren’t alone. I have a friend whose son has an extremely strong gag reflex. He has always been very picky about certain food textures (he was probably 5 or 6 before he could eat mashed potatoes.) He was recently fitted for a dental appliance, and during the fitting process, having to hold the mold in his closed mouth while it set, he vomited on the dentist. They took him back a few days later on an empty stomach. What made it even funnier is that when he started to gag, the dentist reassured them, “don’t worry, no one has ever thrown up on me.”
I have to ask: What exactly are you brushing your teeth with? 
I thought it was just me . I’m not a freak (well at least not because of that reason) .
Same problem here. It gets worse, though. I can’t even bite down on anything without gagging. You know, when your hands are full of something, and you chomp on a small paper bag or your keychain fob or something to carry it - makes me gag. I noticed it happening after I spent an entire winter battling bronchitis - I figured something got altered in my throat/gag reflex area due to the duress.
i am the same.
when i get the gag feeling, i make a really angry face, using my eyebrows especially. it seems to help.
Same here!! I just got an electric actibrush and that helps a lot.
I learned long ago that i had to brush before breakfast or else taste it a second time.
I used to gag while brushing as well. I later discovered it had to do with posture and visuals. If I am brushing while looking down into the sink with the water running, I will invariably gag, and once I am in gag mode, I can’t brush my teeth for some time without gagging. But if I don’t look down while brushing, I have no problems. Is wierd I know, but it is what works for me.
I close the back of my mouth when I brush my teeth. It helps a LOT.
No gagging here…I wonder what that says about me? 
um…a wooden spoon
sheeesh…what else?
I don’t know what that says about you…but I want to get to know you better.
Thats funny!!..quite the visual.
I’ve got a picture of that Muppet…“Sam The Eagle” brushing his teeth (beak)
Geez…you even post like Vonnegut!
Isn’t it great when you find out that most everybody is a freak?..just like you?
I feel much better…thats for sure.
Yeah…I thought of that…turns out I’m just a fat slob.
What do you mean? Do you just give the brush enough clearance when you’re doing your molars?
I hope it’s that…because if you’ve got one of those jaws that disconnect (articulating mandible?)…you’d be a snake…and then you wouldn’t be able to even pick up your toothbrush.
Well, I haven’t actually puked…but I do put on a wonderful show.
And yes…it does make me feel better…the more people that are in the same dicomfort as me is a good thing.
You gag? So do I, and I thought it was just me. However, I’ve a theory why I, at least, do:
<gross story> A couple of years ago I was woken up by one the most extraordinarily disgusting feelings I’ve ever felt. I had swallowed what I will refer to as my uvula (don’t know if that’s the right word, I’m referring to the thingy that hangs down the back of your throat, could also be an epiglottis or somesuch). This was due, I think, to a combination of a serious boozing session, smoking far too many cigs, sleeping on my back, and also a really bad snoring habit. Anyway, I made it to the bathroom just in time to projectile vomit spectacularly, went back to bed, eventually got to sleep, and for the whole next day was gagging like, well, like someone who was gagging continuously. Imagine, if you will, having someone’s fingers stuck down the back of your throat for a whole day. This was the upshot of having stretched the uvula which was now resting on my tongue. The thing seems to have gone back to normal operation since then, except for the toothbrushing thing. </gross story>
So… do snorers gag while brushing their teeth?
Another thing: I don’t gag as much brushing my teeth at night. What’s that about?