Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Still having to nag a teenager (13)about teeth cleaning.

28 replies

HPFA · 21/03/2018 07:51

I'm still having to nag DD (13) every morning to get her teeth cleaned. She's fine about getting up for school ( I don't even have to wake her up) so it's not that she isn't leaving herself enough time. I don't have to nag her at bedtime.

Not sure what to do. Is it normal to be still having to do this at her age? Any ideas for improving the situation?

OP posts:

ggirl · 21/03/2018 08:09

I still nag ds and he's 15...its a pain in the arse.
I nag him about cleaning his face , using soap in the shower ..does my head in.
I've tried not nagging and it does no good...

Some kids are better than others , I didn't have to nag my first born at all .
sorry someone will come along with a miracle answer hopefully

Minus1 · 21/03/2018 08:11

I’ve got two who will avoid teeth cleaning at any cost. But they are the first to criticise anyone they see with awful teeth. I still have to supervise or they would do them literally for three seconds or not at all. No answers sorry.

Original poster

HPFA · 21/03/2018 16:03

Thanks for these - I'm glad to know she's not the only one!

OP posts:

NorthernSpirit · 21/03/2018 16:33

Same here. I have a 12 (almost 13 year old) DSD and she’s a water dodger. Won’t wash her face or brush her teeth in morning or night unless reminded over and over.

Her hair was so greasy and matted last weekend I refused to leave the house with her until she’d washed it (which I had to ask her to get in the bath numerous times).

I’m hoping a bit of peer pressure will kick in now she’s at secondary school and older girls especially are taking pride in their appearance.

Original poster

HPFA · 22/03/2018 07:35

Northernspirit I was hoping that peer pressure would mean a bit more under the arms washing but I can only conclude they must all be smelly and don't notice!

OP posts:

wtffgs · 22/03/2018 07:38

Same here - hair, teeth and general grooming. It's very odd given the quantity of selfie-taking

I've pointed out to DC that I used to dodge teeth cleaning as a power battle with my DM - I then point to my mouth full of fillings

NorthernSpirit · 22/03/2018 10:38

@wfttgs - that made me laugh. Yes, totally agree, my DSD is totally obsessed by taking selfies and applying ludicrous bunny ears etc..... but doesn’t seem to care that her hair is matter or she’s wiffy. Having just spent £500 myself on dental treatment I tell her how important it is to clean her teeth and it’s not nice going to the dentist. She doesn’t seem to care. The thing that gets me is the lying - saying she’s done it (washed her face and brushed her teeth) when she hasn’t. Agh.......

Doryismyname · 23/03/2018 09:01

DD will spend ages doing her hair and makeup and then doesn’t bother to brush her teeth

Original poster

HPFA · 23/03/2018 10:25

Dory That's it exactly!! DD gets up really early so she can make sure every hair is perfect but then grubby teeth and smelly armpits....

OP posts:

forcryinoutloud · 23/03/2018 19:13

Sympathies OP, you see you are indeed not alone..sorry to say a have an 18yr DS . All I can say is whenever I hear him clean his teeth of his own accord without me nagging it honestly feels like my soul is flying and I feel like doing cartwheels across the room.

Unfortunately it doesn't happen often. Your DD with probably improve much sooner, fingers crossed for you

DailyWailEatsSnails · 23/03/2018 19:26

I nag. No one nagged me & I have a mouth full of fillings. I don't mind nagging about this.

PurplePotatoes · 23/03/2018 19:31

Same as Dailywail - my mum never nagged, she trusted me to do it myself and now I too have a mouth full of fillings. I would keep nagging!

NorthernSpirit · 23/03/2018 19:47

Same here..... I don’t ever remember my parents nagging me to clean my teeth and I have a mouth full of fillings. I keep telling the kids that if they don’t clean their teeth a visit to the dentist is very painful. They don’t seem to care! My biggest battle at the moment is getting the 12 year old to wash. Will only have a bath (won’t shower) and seems to think it’s ok to bath (and wash her hair) twice a week. It’s getting quite wiffy.....

Original poster

HPFA · 23/03/2018 19:57

So good to know she isn't the only slobby teenager in the world!!

The dentist did recommend an electric toothbrush which has meant at least she's now spending enough time on them as there's a timer.

OP posts:

turnipfarmers · 24/03/2018 06:35

Mine is the same, I've now got to the point where I don't nag him and will let the dentist do it. I reserve my nagging for getting him to take the medicine which keeps him alive.

It's hard isn't it?

Hellsbellscockleshells · 24/03/2018 08:56

It is a fight getting my 13 year old DD to brush her teeth and to do most things most of the time also (she lies about having done it). Her armpits stink I have told her this, discussed hygeine and washing properly, bought her numerous lots of roll on deodorants which she refuses to wear. It’s a battle to get her to go in the shower twice a week. Her long hair looks dreadful most of the time as she doesn’t rinse or brush it properly. It looks beautiful, golden and goes two shades lighter if she gets it cut and washed at the hairdressers (which isn’t very often). I have showed her how to wash hair properly many times over the years when younger I have bought her lots of nice shampoos from Lush and Boots and discussed all this many times but it’s in one ear and out the other. She also messes about cuddling the dog and sitting on a floor with him on a morning and regularly goes to school covered in dog hair. I have ran after her with roller brush to remove hairs but sick of constant battles/arguments.
I see many of her peers walking to school looking tidy with neat shiny newly washed hair and I am embarrassed and ashamed about DD’s lack of care and interest in her hygiene and general appearance. I also don’t want kids at school calling her smelly or mocking her (which I have also explained) as she has very few friends as it is.

pinkhousesarebest · 24/03/2018 09:03

My ds always brushed his teeth after seeing a dental hygiene shock video in school when he was younger. Showering is another matter but he is much better now at 16. How I wish I could lay my hands on that video for my 14 year old dd. She has braces too 😩

MrsJayy · 24/03/2018 09:06

My Dd hated toothpaste she useed to heave and then just avoided brushing her teeth i used to nag every day it is so annoying i found milder toothpaste and she got better but was still having to nag occasionally

ggirl · 24/03/2018 09:11

my 15yr ds has a shower every morning ...which is great ...except he just stands under the water ..sometimes uses shampoo , no soap is involved...
I'm like a detective checking the shower gel levels and movement of flannels.
Took his duvet to laundrette the other day ...nearly passed out in the car with the stench of it.

Ds had a brace last summer to straighten his teeth, the stress of making sure he brushed properly was ridiculous. Dh and I had to supervise every night like he was 3 yrs old!

I keep being told by mothers of older boys that it gets better , they finally become responsible around 18 !!! ??

I feel sorry for the classroom teachers of these kids..imagine

littlebillie · 24/03/2018 11:10

We have just had a back tooth removed today DD 13.and the dentist thought baby tooth it was an adult tooth and it looked perfect. The tooth exploded it just crumbled with decay we are now terrified it won't end here

littlebillie · 24/03/2018 11:13

We only have fizzy drinks at parties and holidays, sweets infrequently and the same with fruit juice. She loves fruit but this is just very very sad.

ggirl · 24/03/2018 11:24

that is worrying littlebillie , does she avoid brushing too?

littlebillie · 24/03/2018 11:30

Normally twice a day we are mortified as is the dentist it took an hour to remove as it exploded. She thought it was a baby tooth and panicked when it exploded and had a root. DH said she was panicked 🤔

KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse · 24/03/2018 13:22

My mum had to nag my brother to clean his teeth before we went to a family Christening recently. He's 41.

I still nag DD (16) to do her teeth and use her asthma inhaler every evening. I've been doing it morning and night for 12 years. She seems to be able to do them without nagging in the morning now so we're 50% of the way there.

I will continue to nag until I know she will do it without me. Even if it takes until she's 41!

Original poster

HPFA · 24/03/2018 14:12

I see many of her peers walking to school looking tidy with neat shiny newly washed hair

If it's any comfort HellsBells they all probably have yucky teeth and smelly armpits too.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2