To think this is disgusting

[twiggy3839]

I was always taught to brush my teeth twice a day. I can't sleep without doing it, and I would feel dirty if I went to work without doing it.

My boyfriend however, thinks it's perfectly acceptable to only brush his teeth once a day - in the evening. Since we moved in together this has really been bugging me, and I've noticed a slight smell (his breath).

I told him he needs to brish his teeth in the morning but he refuses. He says he doesn't have time/doesn't like doing it. Things got slightly better after a visit to the dentist a few months ago - he had to have 8 fillings and a root canal. This scared him for about a month, and he would brush his teeth twice a day.

Things quickly went back to 'normal' and he only brushes them in the evening again. When I tell him to do it he will just use mouthwash or floss and he thinks that's enough. He spends a fortune on expensive floss but won't just brush his teeth?!

I find it so gross but he won't change. So what I'm asking is, AIBU? Is it common for people to only brush their teeth once a day? It's not a question I ask people in real life

My old man was a bit like this for many years. His mother died when he was a young child and as a single parent his father did not instil good habits, not sure if he even bought toothbrushes for the kids tbh.

After many years of arguing about this, whilst (me) teaching our kids good habits, he has periodontal disease and now visits a hygienist regularly. He tries to tell us it is hereditary! There is plenty of evidence that gum disease is hereditary, but other evidence that good dental hygiene can intervene.

We have argued about this many times over the years, but now that he is steadily losing his teeth, whilst mine are still viable, he accepts that maybe good dental hygiene is important.

Let him do his own thing, if he will not listen to commonsense, but ensure that any children are taught correct methods of cleaning their teeth and avoiding sugary drinks and food etc. to protect the next generation. My mother is late eighties and whilst her teeth do not look great, they still function well because of good oral hygiene.

And refuse to let him have a kiss if he doesn't clean his teeth first!

That's grim. I can't believe that he only has a 'slight' smell to his breath either. Surely it must be foul in the morning and all day long?

I think he's just being a stubborn twat. God knows why, because it takes less time to brush than floss.

My lovely, you know you are not being unreasonable in thinking this is vile. He has shown he won't change - and you cannot change another person anyway. So it boils down to is this what you want or not? I'd be a no, but hey

I find it grim if I can only clean my teeth twice a day. I prefer to do it after every meal and also after a snack, even though it's not always possible.

Once a day is yuck. Not sure I could live with that.

I could forgive if it were the other way around but waking up in the morning and not doing it is utterly grim. Everyone will have his manky breath inflicted on them. Horrible.

This is what happens if parents don't ingrain these habits into their children. For most people, it is second nature to think you get up, you brush your teeth, you go to bed, you brush your teeth. They've been taught it from such a young age, they just do it automatically. It's so important.

YANBU

This is really gross and he is being very disrespectful to you too. He obviously knows that it bothers you ( and rightly so) and yet he still won’t do it.
I think I would have to seriously rethink the relationship.