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Original poster

AIBU to tell DH his once-weekly tooth brushing is off-putting?

130 replies

SweetAudry · 03/09/2026 22:28

A few months ago DH told me he felt his teeth were worsening in both health and appearance (I had noticed this too but was too polite to tell him!) and he suggested he should maybe brush them more often.

I asked now often he currently brushed them (meaning how many times a day) and he said “probably once a week or so” 😱 I found this shocking at told him so! He said from now on he’ll do them at least once a day.

He did this for about a week and now he’s back to never doing them. I know he’s not brushed them at all this week as I moved his toothbrush and it’s still exactly where I left it. I find it really off putting.

I don’t like to embarrass people by pointing out personal things like this but once a week (if that!) is shocking isn’t it? WIBU to tell him even though he will probably be offended?

OP posts:
DraigCymraeg · 05/09/2026 14:44

SweetAudry · 03/09/2026 22:28

A few months ago DH told me he felt his teeth were worsening in both health and appearance (I had noticed this too but was too polite to tell him!) and he suggested he should maybe brush them more often.

I asked now often he currently brushed them (meaning how many times a day) and he said “probably once a week or so” 😱 I found this shocking at told him so! He said from now on he’ll do them at least once a day.

He did this for about a week and now he’s back to never doing them. I know he’s not brushed them at all this week as I moved his toothbrush and it’s still exactly where I left it. I find it really off putting.

I don’t like to embarrass people by pointing out personal things like this but once a week (if that!) is shocking isn’t it? WIBU to tell him even though he will probably be offended?

I find it inconceivable that you didn't know this.
Do you not share intimate moments together, or even sleep in the same bed?

seventeenofsumday · 05/09/2026 16:17

Op you have to tell him. This isn't a minor issue. His breath must absolutely reek and his teeth are probably full of plaque. I don't even think he's just at the point of needing to start brushing twice a day, he will need to go to a hygenist to get the hard build up stuff removed as there's no doubt there will be shit between and on his teeth that can't be removed by brushing. Not as severe case as this but I had a boyfriend who had less than excellent oral hygiene and I had to have a difficult conversation with him, and make clear I wouldn't be with someone who didnt look after their teeth properly. It was fine after that. If you don't tell him then you'll have to stay with someone who stinks, people won't want to be near him, you won't be able to kiss him never mind anything else. If you are fine with that life crack on, but I wouldn't be.

HollaHolla · 05/09/2026 16:20

Oh that’s grim. I couldn’t kiss him, knowing that.
Can you encourage him with a sticker chart or something?? (Only 1/2 joking….)

Brittany21 · 05/09/2026 16:56

This absolutely turns my stomach. I won’t let my husband anywhere near my face until he’s brushed his teeth in the morning. Bad breath is the most disgusting smell and your husbands mouth must be rotting, full of tonsil stones and plaque 🤢
I would leave him, no question. Dirty fucker.

LumpkinPumpkin · 05/09/2026 18:50

I’m by no means a clean freak but I couldn’t cope with this. His breath must be appalling.

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