Sneezing is one of the body's natural defense mechanisms for expelling foreign invaders and protecting the lungs and other organs from contamination. The medical term for sneezing is "sternutation."
Sneeze usually comes when some foreign particle goes into your noes. Sneeze usually comes three times but sometimes it may exceed to many times. For people who sneeze three times in quick succession, "one sneeze probably loosens it up, the second sneeze gets it to the front of the nose and the third sneeze gets it out,"
There are a number of irritants that can trigger a sneeze. Viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, can bother the mucous membrane in your nose. So can cold air; allergens, such as pollen and pet dander; physical irritants, including smoke and pollution; and environmental particles, such as dust, mildew and mold,
Source: livescience.com