A 42-year-old member asked:
is there a way to not gag when i get my teeth cleaned?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kyle Shank answered
Dentistry 13 years experience
Suggestions...: Practicing placing a spoon on the back of the tongue can help some people to overcome the gag reflex. In the office, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and oral conscious sedation often help as well.
5630 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Media Najafi answered
Dentistry 22 years experience
Distraction: If the suction is not the cause of gagging
then distract yourself by wiggling your toes or thinking of something else. Take frequent breaks during cleaning.
5622 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A member asked:
Is it normal for bottom teeth to come in before top teeth?
11 doctor answers • 22 doctors weighed in

Dr. Scott Katz answered
Pediatrics 26 years experience
Yes: The bottom middle incisors are almost always the first teeth and usually come in around 7 months old. However it is not a concern if the top teeth come in first. If your child has no teeth at 15 months old, your pediatrician will likely recommend a dental visit.
6658 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ron E. Bell commented
Cosmetic Dentistry 45 years experience
You could be proactive and see a dentist before the pediatrician recommends
Oct 31, 2015
CA
A 22-year-old male asked about a member:
What is a normal age to start losing teeth?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Kwok answered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
6 years: Children lose their first baby teeth around age 6 years when the permanent teeth start coming in. They will get a total of 28 teeth (not counting any wisdom teeth). In the teen years, some kids have 2-4 teeth pulled before getting orthodontic braces. Years later, adults lose teeth through accidents, tooth decay, etc. . . The average number of remaining teeth at age 50-64 is 22-23 teeth.
6490 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
How do I treat periodontal problems without pulling my teeth?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Danny Proffitt answered
Family Medicine 43 years experience
Difficult: The mainstay to good dental health is brushing, flossing and perhaps using a prescribed oral rinse. Adequate nutrition is mandatory and you may need a good multiple vitamin and a gram or so of vitamin c daily. Stress control, no smoking and no drinking to excess are mandatory. Outside of this, you are going to have to work closely with your dentist/oral surgeon and do the best you can.
6054 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Is pulling your teeth necessary to treat periodontal problems?
4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Danny Proffitt answered
Family Medicine 43 years experience
No always: Some periodontal disease is treated with gingival surgery, cleaning, medications, grafts and doing everything to preserve the teeth. At times a tooth may be too far gone and have root problems that would necessitate removal. Do all you can to have the greatest of oral hygiene and follow closely with your dentist/oral surgeon/periodontist. Hope it goes well!
6054 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
United Kingdom
A 38-year-old female asked:
I ve bad tooth sensitivity on all teeth recently, went to dentist, he can't c why, please advice me of other possible health problems i may b suffering with?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Russell Lieblick answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 21 years experience
Bruxism: You may be grinding or clenching your teeth which is called bruxism. This can cause painful teeth with no discernable reason. The treatment is fairly simple and requires wearing a guard or thin mouthpiece at night called a splint. Your dentist can help.
5194 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Jan 14, 2016
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