Battling My Gag Reflex On Thick Pipe Bits

ghostsofpompeii

I suppose there's no better way to lose the respect of your fellow pipe smokers, especially when you're relatively new to a Forum, then to admit to having a terrible gag reflex that can be triggered by clenching a thick pipe bit between your teeth when smoking. But yes ... it is something that happens to me now and again - and I wonder if it's ever happened to anyone else - or if I'm simply an isolated oddball.

Like any normal human being I dislike a trip to the Dentist. And I can tolerate the pain of a hypodermic needle pumping Novocain into my gums, a Dental drill burrowing through enamel and tooth pulp then making unexpected contact with the exposed nerve during a root cannel, and even the physical tug-of-war between the dentist and an unyielding tooth socket during an extraction ... but just the thought of jamming that horseshoe shaped mold into my mouth to make an Alginate impression of my teeth in preparation for a cap or bridgework has me gagging as I type this. And when I have a pipe with a thick or wider bit clenched between my teeth it triggers a gag reflex that has me yacking like a cat coughing up a hairball.

I know it's a mental thing because it only happens when I'm simultaneously smoking my pipe and working on some project that requires both hands. And as long as I have one free hand to remove the pipe at will I can preempt any reflex action - but if both hands are occupied and I can't just reach up and pull out my pipe it's like a flashback panic attack to that Alginate impression session. 

I really only own two pipes that are an issue - a beautiful Brebbia Calabash (which I absolutely love) and a recent acquisition, an inexpensive pear pipe I received as a Christmas present with a tastefully carved spider on the side (the perfect Halloween smoke). The bits on both pipes are larger and thicker than I would prefer. And making matters worse for the Brebbia, I increased the girth even more so by adding a 'softy bit' to protect the stem from further damage after noticing a bit of tooth chatter. Now the only way I can enjoy the pipe is by holding it as I smoke. And it was last night after smoking my Brebbia that I worked up the courage to share my embarrassing neurosis with the community and see if anyone else has - or has had - a similar issue with pipe smoking and gag reflexes.  

Philip

Mr. Ghost,

I've never heard of this in my life. Are you saying that just by having certain pipe bits between your teeth you have the problem? You aren't shoving the thing down your throat or anything like that I assume. You may have caused countless people to think about something they have never even considered and wonder if they also suffer from the same condition. The gag reflex (excuse the crudeness) causing one to retch or the feeling of vomiting, I thought comes from the back of the throat, not from anything around your pearly whites.

Maybe you could remove the stem and keep it between your choppers while doing something until you don't even think about it anymore. Being not only an amateur psychiatrist AND and an amateur dentist, that sounds like a good plan. You don't have to convince any of us how uncomfortable dental work can be, but please sir, don't make me think about it while enjoying my pipe.

You do bring up an excellent point about the clenching. I do believe lots of people deal with that and at times can make your teeth and/or jaw a bit sore. Some pipes are just a better fit for different people. Personally I think it has more to do with the weight of the pipe and how far from my pie-hole the center of gravity is, not the size of the bit. The farther away the more little shifts in stability will commence in the chattering you mentioned. It is an uncomfortable feeling.

Good luck sir. Your dentist must look forward to your visits.

R/

Phil

mfresa

Try moving it to the side of your mouth and let your molars handle it.  The sensitivity to pressure and mouth position may change enough to prevent the reflex.  This is not an embarassing thing at all.  We weren't born with pipes in our mouths, it is something we have to get used to.   I agree with Philip that the weight of the pipe and where it hangs has a lot to do with it.  Good luck!

LostMason

I can't say that I've the same problem, but one similar. I can't stand
to carry a spoon or popcycle stick around in my piehole without
gagging. I can clench a pipe for short periods in my canine teeth but
after a minute or so I will salivate so much you would think dinner was
ready. So I try not to clench and only smoke my pipes when I can set them
down to handle any "chores". I have one polish pipe that the bit is a full
inch wide and it doesn't get smoked much at all, and in truth, I prefer
saddle bits.