Refusing to brush teeth

[Animallover2325]

Has anyone else’s older teen (ds 17) suddenly stopped brushing their teeth? He’s very clean in every other aspect, showers every single day but why is he refusing to do this? Is it become I’m telling him to? (Which I’m basically doing because he has stopped!) but if I leave it what happens? My husband and I didn’t exactly take great care of ours and I don’t want him going down that road

Our DS is a hopeless teeth cleaner.
his dentist got really cross with him about it. as did I. so embarrassing. he's just lazy and has no interest in spending time on self care ,yet. except building his biceps. I've told him that girls don't speak to (or kiss) boys with bad hygiene.

I have to stand at the bathroom door, making sure he cleans them before bed.

Is he looking for a romantic partner ? I think I hope it changes once they are keen on that.

it's really grim, I'll say.

Personally at his age I would leave him to it. I know you probably don’t want him to need fillings. You and your DH could talk about the cost of dental treatment and that NHS dentists are rarer than hens teeth.

One of my DDs refused to brush her teeth for 6 months when she was 6, that was due to a fear- long story- so I understand how frustrating it can be.

I'd just tell him it's rank and totally anti-social. I'm proper grossed out by the fact that a 17 year old won't brush his teeth 😮

Tell him to only brush the teeth he wants to keep and leave the penny to drop.

I could have written this except mine won't get a shower either. He's starting to look for a part time job and I just think no one will want to employ him - he smells. It's so hard and I feel like I'm nagging him which then makes him cross.

Keep telling him his breath smells??
Tbh shame him into it