Hygiene...refused to brush teeth

DafneHuffman

My DH got a not so good report from the dentist about his gums receding. He hasn't been brushing his teeth, and now when I try to get him to do it, he refuses.

I need suggestions.

RetiredTeacher

We brush our teeth at the same time, side by side, 2 sinks, Sonicare toothbrushes. That said, I can only get him to brush his teeth once a day. I remind, invite, etc but so far only once a day. I can't make him so I have to settle for what compliance I can get.

Goodlife2025

I too recently started brushing teeth with my DW. It takes a lot of cajoling to get her to join in and once a day seems to be the most we can manage. Another casualty of this damn disease she has always had great dental hygiene with no cavities.

Timmyd

I agree with what has been said so far. Use an electric brush and try to get him to brush alongside you. Also there are some non alcohol oral rinses that can help. See if you can get him to use one. Try increasing the professional cleanings as well.

You may find there are certain times he is more agreeable to brushing than others. Try to pick up on his energy and sense when is the best chance for success.

annie51

All great suggestions so far. I was lucky if I could get DH to brush once every day or two. I put the toothpaste on the brush, handed it to him and brushed alongside him. I also kept a set of our toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash in the kitchen because sometimes he’d be agreeable in the morning after breakfast. If not I waited till evening when we were getting ready for bed. And the comment about the alcohol-free mouthwash was a good one - sometimes I could get him to rinse, even if he didn’t brush his teeth. His hygienist recommended Listerine total care zero alcohol. I also brought him every three months to the hygienist for as long as I could.
Another suggestion I got from someone on here was to use Spry gum for when he wouldn’t brush. It was no problem getting him to do that.

Sunfish47

I’m still able to get my DH to brush his teeth if we do it together. I tell him it’s time to brush - tell him to come to the bathroom with me. Then I put paste on both of our brushes, hand him his brush, and when I start to brush my teeth, then he does too. He is still in the shadowing phase, so this method is working for now.