DS 18yrs, had braces nearly a year, really poor dental hygiene driving me nuts.

[forcryinoutloud]

I just don't know how to handle this one anymore. Obviously DS knows how many times and when teeth should be brushed, ( esp with braces) and he has an electronic brush but will he do it? No.I am at my wits end with him. I am worried the doctor is going to take his brace off if he won't clean his teeth.

I have been 'on his case' for the past almost a year and I am sick to death of it, it is giving me the stress and is so frustrating. He has had good teeth as has not had many sweets as a child (he just didn't bother about them) but like choc and I did the twice yearly visits to the dentist throughout his childhood. DH seems to think he just has to make his own bed and lie in it now that he's an 'adult', I use the word loosely. But I am soooo pissed off.

Got interrupted there...sorry...any advice or just a listening ear would be great. Realise this prob is miniscule compared to a lot on here....

Your dh is right . Adult children are responsible for themselves I know it's infuriating but it's time to let go .

He's 18 !! Stop nagging the lad

My dd's braces were taken off early (her teeth were pretty straight though) because she wasn't brushing properly - it was going to mark her teeth.

It is incredibly frustrating to see someone be so stupid but there is not much you can do. My sympathies.

I know there isn't much you can do about it but I understand how frustrating it is. Not exactly the same but my dp doesn't brush his teeth at night. He does in the morning though but only for a few seconds so really not good enough. His teeth are slowly getting worse and to be honest it's quite off putting. I have told him to go to the dentist but hoping they would tell him but he keeps putting it off. Yes you have to leave adults to it but your teeth aren't exactly replaceable.
Perhaps ask him why he won't brush them? Is it just laziness? I can't imagine not brushing my teeth twice a day I'd feel filthy

He's 18, there's not a lot you can do. All the nagging in the world won't make him care.

Is he into dating at all? He'll soon learn.

If he's 18 are they free NHS braces, or are you paying for them? If they're free then I guess just carry on with the treatment. When they do eventually come off you might be surprised, but otherwise it will be your sons job to deal with it. If you're paying for them then I would be extremely annoyed that you're wasting money on something your ds doesn't seem to care about. At the end of the day though, like others said, he's an adult, you can't force him to clean them.

My dd did this I brushed her teeth for her and cleaned her braces out too she did try but never did it right !

Wait till you get to the retainers stage

Not daily I should add once/twice a month max just a deep clean occasionally