To ignore unclean teeth?

[TheMauveBeaker]

Friend has a 15 year old son. Personal hygiene is very good other than the teeth! Though they are straight, no need for braces, they are very yellow, almost brown. I was shocked when I saw him last week, hadn’t met up with them for a while, and I was taken aback by the brown teeth.

He’s a nice lad, whole family is lovely, but his teeth look like they need attention - they honestly looked like they hadn’t been cleaned for weeks. Feel like it’s such an easy problem to fix and that someone should say something but (a) not sure I’m brave enough; and (b) not sure how to broach the subject.
DH says I should say nothing and I know that’s the easy option. However, teeth are one of my ‘things’, probably because I haven’t been blessed with very good ones!
AIBU - ignore the teeth, it’s not your child/problem
IANBU - say something (what?) it needs sorting now to prevent problems later

Not your circus not your monkeys. Say nothing!

They could be clean and it's just staining?

WTF?

Not ginger, but quite fair.

Poor kid. I understand your feelings absolutely.

Thing is, they have eyes so will be aware. I'm not sure that you saying something will help or make something happen that wouldn't otherwise you know.

Yes could be. Think in my head they’re becoming browner whenever I think about it!

It's not like they wouldn't have noticed! All you'll do by saying something is make them feel embarrassed. Is he neurodivergent? Some people have sensory issues with teeth brushing.
Anyway, it's none of your business!

Teeth are not naturally white, and some people have darker teeth than others.
If his breath is ok, then it could just be plain old staining.

My mum cleans her teeth religiously and sees a hygienist several times a year. She still has teeth that are a lot darker compared to others peoples.

@thereiscustardinthejamtart it's because there's a thing about redheads having yellow teeth (I'm a redhead so I've heard it all before)

I initially thought it was your son’s friend (in which case don’t say anything), but I see it is your friend’s son. I think you could say something to your friend, maybe obliquely. I would say anything to the lad though.

Some people can genetically be more prone to tooth decay and staining op. It may not be something he's in control of. Also certain medications etc can have an impact. Would he have any sensory issues related to tooth brushing you might not be aware of?

I think you need to just ignore its between him his mum and his dentist.

Ah! OK.

It could be diet related and he’s not getting the right nutrients that can cause teeth to have discolouration or certain medications. It might not be because they’re not being cleaned.

Have naturally dark teeth and I can't count the amount of people who have told me that I need to clean them.
I have very good oral hygiene and strong healthy teeth.
It's so upsetting when people say this and really affects my confidence.
So just mind your own business and don't be cruel.

If I pulled up every one of my friend's children over the years because of something I thought wasn't right, or didn't agree with then I'd have no friends left.
Leave the poor boy and family alone. Absolutely not your business OP.

It's not always an easy problem to fix.

If he's lived in a country where they add fluorine to the water, it darkens your teeth (while hardening and strengthening the enamel). I had a classmate at school who'd lived in Kenya where they do this (or did back then, anyway). She had healthy teeth that were brown stained

You could say something like has he had a check up lately at the dentist ?

I wouldn’t say anything. Do you think they haven’t noticed? There could also be a reason such as medication etc that you may not know about.

Some people naturally have yellow teeth . I definitely would not comment…rude .

It can be a condition. My daughter suffers from it. She brushes her teeth religiously and has never had decayed teeth but they definitely look brown. The dentist said there is nothing that can be done aside from veneers.

my 18yos teeth are yellow and always have been. No cavities though.

When you say his teeth are brown, what do you mean? Is it a surface stain? Do the whole teeth look brown?

They must be aware but I can see for the boys sake why you'd want to say something.
My son was left with really bad staining once his braces were removed. (It transpired that he was going to the corner shop before school and downing Coca Cola and Pringles without my knowledge)
Hygienist made zero difference and he had to have composite bonding to cover the stains. This was done free of charge because he was 15.
It only lasts 5-10 years though and he had to have it done again at 21.. £200 per tooth!