Mumsnet Talk

DH insists I'm doing something wrong. Every morning and night when I brush my teeth I end up a foaming slavering mess with minty blue foam all over the sink and my face.

He somehow manages to keep it all nice and self-contained just like all them sorts on the telly adverts.

I've tried less paste, a wet brush, a dry brush... I am a yawning 'gleeker' could this be the cause?

Is it just me? Does anyone else get into a right old mess? I promise I'm fairly capable at every other aspect of my life!

My dh! Drools toothpaste everywhere! Also incapable of having a shave without spreading water everywhere, but I rather hope that isn't a problem you share...

dry tooth brush, toothpaste, rub the paste all over your teeth with the brush so it is evenly spread, then brush.

You only need to keep your mouth open enough for the brush to be in your mouth - like a lollipop.

OK you might get a bit of mess at the front.

Ooh I have this problem! Or rather, I did until I got an electric toothbrush. I think the problem in the wet toothbrush and perhaps too much toothpaste?
I used to do it in the shower so that I could really go for it without making a mess of myself and the sink.

Haha me too. Cannot brush teeth if I'm already dressed. An also utterly incapable of washing my face without drenching myself to my waist.

My husband doesn't know how it's possible.

I blame ads showing a splashy "spa experience".

..the problem is the wet toothbrush

I never get any on my face or clothes when brushing my teeth. I like to wander about and looking out the window when brushing. Drives DH mad. No mess though. I can't think how you would get like that.

I seem to always end up with toothpaste down my frot or on the floor - not foam, actual blobs of toothpaste. It's a right beggar to get off/ out as well. I think I must be too theatrical in my movements.

Not my frot! That sounds rude! My froNt.

Frot! Lovely! I would normally agree at over-theatrical movements however I've tried my best to go super slow...

littlewhitebag I am very jealous you can go mobile when brushing! If I even move backwards slightly the whole front of the sink gets a literal pasting!

Dolomite I also soak myself face washing. I am a competent adult otherwise, honest!

I was beginning to think that I was the only messy teeth brusher! It goes everywhere, even using an electric one. I end up with it all over my mouth, in the sink - I couldn't even consider moving away from the sink as it would be all over the floor!

My husband however is spotless when he cleans his teeth.

I think it may be the wet toothbrush which causes it but I cannot use a dry one as I hate mint and really dislike the stronger mint taste which seems present when using a dry toothbrush.

I must sound a bit odd but like KatoPotato I am competent and generally 'normal' in other aspects of my life.........honest

Keep your mouth shut around the brush and keep your head down.

When the Internet first came out I remember reading an article about how you brush your teeth and what it says about your personality. Apparently, if you keep your head down and brush, you're a very loyal lover and would never dream of cheating, if you keep your head up then you can't stay with one person indefinitely and need to keep moving on to new lovers. There were loads of other things too, like keeping the brushing clean or frothy meant something but I can't remember now.

Keeping my head down makes it worse! That's just an invitation for gravity to help out! - This is keeping my mouth clamped shut too!

I've tried a dry brush, no better and actually makes me gag resulting in more Aquafresh all over the shop, and my forearm, the sink, chin...

No, I'm a neat and tidy sort of person. I even windowlene the mirror after I floss!

I had an ex who used to SPIT ON THE TAP How could he not notice he gobbed all over the tap!

Sorry! <issues>

I have to brush my teeth in the morning before my shower because I end up in such a mess. I don't know how it happens. I'm ashamed of myself.

I have read a million topics on here some have made me sad, angry, happy, many have made me laugh out loud. This has left me stumped. I am obviously really lucky or really tidy (house doesn't show this) as I don't have this problem at all. I have no idea how it happens but am very curious, can I come to yours and watch?

My 2 year old gets a bit of toothpaste on her chin because she can't spit it out properly . Cannot believe I'm typing this but could it be you're not spitting out far enough?

Newbielisa The mess happens during brushing. Almost instantly a huge amount of froth is generated.

My Husband says I'm 'not right' but I've tried all variations! - Will I film a vlog for you?

I do wonder if it's this funny nodule under my tongue that sprays snake like spit if I yawn with my mouth open? gleeking

Maybe try using a bit less toothpaste

I dribble it all down my arm - there are splats on the floor/mat where it falls off at my elbow. But my mum is the same...

I'm with you OP, get really messy. Especially when doing behind the front bottom teeth.

what is this dry brush business all about??

2 tips ......
Try using a toothpaste that is free from Sodium Laurel Sulphate ( it's a foaming agent and has been linked to mouth ulcers )
AND
Brush in the shower .

I brush my teeth in the shower. I have a Water Pik too for flossing- lisa you could get in a real mess with it, and spray the wall at the far side of the bathroom.

OMG Kato I thought it was just my DH who gets himself in that sort of mess

He looks like a rabid dog sucking a sherbet fountain

I can't bring myself to watch him

I use an electric toothbrush followed by an oral irrigator followed by mouthwash. I read somewhere that plaque bacteria play a role in heart disease hence the belt and braces approach.

The electric toothbrush is definitely easier to use than a manual one. You may find the oral irrigator a bit more challenging but it's worth it for the really clean feeling you get.

I have this problem, whereas my husband doesn't. However, I have perfect teeth, whereas my husband has 3 fillings, 1 crown and one "problem area" which the dentist is keeping an eye on. I'm sure it's partially down to genetics, but I do know that I brush more thoroughly than him. Is that any consolation?

I know exactly what you mean, as I do this too. I have to be over the sink. If you tidy people are keeping your mouth closed, how can you be brushing properly?

Kato, yes please to videos x 2. Need to see this gleeking.

I have to warn you though you are not painting a very glamorous picture of yourself

what the hell are you people doing? Its just teethbrushing! The only issues I have are when DS (3) and DD (1) are trying to do it themselves and gesticulate wildly with the brushes explaining "me do it" when I am suited and booted for work. NOTHING gets toothpaste out of a black or grey suit except a full on wash.

Omg this is me, I'm the messiest pup ever when it comes to teeth brushing. I cannot do it once dressed.

I have a full on Santa beard of froth, I have it running to my elbow, there is a particular 'move' - brushing the back of my lower front teeth at the gum line- that causes toothpaste to spray up to my eyelashes. Attractive.

I am a gleeker.

Oh god, yes. It just...dribbles! I thought it was just me. What a relief.

You are not alone, brushing my teeth makes me vomit so I get into some right messes when brushing my teeth

I vomit when I clean my teeth. I do use a low foam toothpaste called Parodontax. The flavor isn't to ever ones taste though.
I can't stand the taste of minty toothpaste, although really like mint flavored sweets.

I use Sensodyne as I have sensitive teeth. (Normal paste hurts after 2 days)
But it's a bit 'soapy'
I have to brush right over the sink.If I even thinkI'm going to swallow toothpaste it makes me barf.

I'm confused by this.

Do you messy teethbrushers not spit a bit out when it gets a bit too foamy, and then carry on brushing with less foam?

Or am I abnormal when it comes to brushing teeth?

OMG, i do this too.
I also have a terrible gag reflex and often end up feeling like I am going to hurl and have to stop brushing.
I sometimes end up with with it running down my arm. if I try to keep my moth closed.
It doesn't matter what sort of brush i use- it happens wth a normal one and an electric one.
I am perplexed by scenes in films where people can move around and have conversations while doing the deed.

Toothpaste without SLS often feels a bit soapy. IIRC some Sensodyne ones don't have SLS neither does the prescription toothpaste Duraphat. It is thought that SLS interferes with the absorption of Fluoride.

I've often gone into work in a morning with toothpaste on my top or even on my face, to the amusement of my colleagues

I am another who wanders around while brushing. I don't tend to stand at the sink. So a few splatters of toothpaste have been known to go astray.

I'm a gleeker but i brush my teeth very tidily. Keep you mouth closed and you head back - maybe put you mirror a bit higher to help with this.

Dh makes a big mess. He also cleans his teeth 2x a day for about 15-20 seconds. He says it doesn't matter that its so short because he presses hard! Persuaded him to go to the dentist for the first time in years and his teeth are perfect.

Nice teeth is a result of diet, nice gums is a result of brushing. Nice gums means no build up of hideous tartar and scraps of food between teeth which cause bad breath and no bleeding (I haven't seen a patient this year who has had zero bleeding at their check up).
If you have a poor diet, no amount of brushing will make up for it.

Disclaimer, I am a dentist and in my experience this is largely true for the adult population of the UK.

A slight tangent but I cannot watch someone brush their teeth either in real life or on tv without my top lip involuntarily curling up and back like I've just smelt something foul. Always had it. Also happens when I try to windmill my arms one going backwards and one going forwards. Beat that for weird toothbrush phenomenon!

YANBU I do too.

I frequently make it into work with toothpaste smeared all over my gob and get regualr 'who have you been giving blow jobs too this morning jibes?

composHat I should think a retort of "your dad" would make it the last time someone asked that

Yep tried that one! Makes no odds!

What about "your ex-husband? "

I will give that one a try!