Mister Minty: What Women Actually Think About Men’s Oral Hygiene Habits

By Brittany Kidd and Donna McMahon from Teaching Teeth – Registered Oral Health Therapists

Ladies, we’ve all been there. You walk into the bathroom. You pause, look around and sigh. It hasn’t even been 24 hours since you cleaned it last. What on earth has gone on in here? Then you remember: your husband. That’s what happened in here.

Standing at the basin, you look down to see the toothpaste tube sitting on the edge. You sigh; it hasn’t been put away for the fifth day straight, but unfortunately, that’s the least of your problems. As you pick up that toothpaste tube, you notice the indents in the middle and realise it resembles a contortionist you once saw at a circus. It is a twisted, tangled mess. You begin to wonder if your man has been practising for the world’s strongest grip contest. Why can’t they just squeeze from the bottom rather than the middle? Sigh.

After you’ve ironed out the wrinkles so the tube is recognisable again and you can actually get some out, you put it back in the cabinet where it belongs. This is when you notice the toothbrush! You do a double take as it looks like a mangled, chewed-up twig rather than a toothbrush. You question what on earth has made him so angry when he’s brushing his teeth! It’s as if he’s used it to clean his teeth and the grout at the same time. We won’t even delve into the topic of how this enthusiastic brushing can damage gums. For this reason, we would only ever suggest a soft toothbrush. Guys, FYI, there’s no need to take out your footy team’s loss on your teeth and gums!

Now, don’t even get me started on the state of the mirror! We’ve all witnessed the aftermath of a hasty toothbrushing session when more toothpaste ends up on the mirror than in their mouths or the sink. It’s like modern abstract art. Picasso might be proud, but you stand there thinking, “I just cleaned that.” How do they even get it that high up from the basin anyway? It’s kind of impressive.

In the world of men’s dental hygiene, it’s all too easy to poke fun, but it’s also an opportunity to support and encourage better habits. We can share a laugh over the frayed toothbrushes, turn toothpaste tubes into circus stars, and appreciate the bathroom mirror artistry. The dental hygiene habits of our men can sometimes leave us bewildered, but let’s take a deep breath and just laugh. They might have their quirks, but they’re also the men who make us smile. In the end, it’s the laughter, love, and well-looked-after teeth that make it all worthwhile! I mean, at least they are brushing, right?