Do brushing and flossing have a place in any other room besides the bathroom?

My friend has slept over on occasion and I have recently found him picking his teeth and brushing in my bedroom. When I asked him what he was doing, he seemed surprised at my question. He then proceeded to walk past the bathroom into the kitchen. I thought it was really tacky to say the least. Like I want his food particles all over the house.


Aug 02, 2011
Flossing
by: Luce

In regards to the flossing - I agree that flossing should be done privately in the bathroom when you are not at home.

My boyfriend's daughter and husband frequently visit and do their teeth brushing and flossing in front of us either in the living room and sometimes even in the kitchen in front of us. The other day my boyfriend was eating at the table and his daughter sat down in front of him
and started flossing.

I couldn't help but mention to her that it was not very appealing to us that she floss in front of her father who was eating. What her husband and she replied was that they didn't mind doing this in front of each other, however I replied that she was doing this in front of her father who was eating. They didn't seem too happy with my comment however this was not the first time. I mentioned this to them quite respectfully but I'm not sure they got it.

How do we make them stop and how should we tell them?

Thank you!
Feb 28, 2011
Where Your Teeth Should Be Brushed...
by: Wendy from Modern Manners and Etiquette

Thank you for your question. That is an interesting situation you have on your hands. I agree with you, brushing, flossing and picking your teeth should be done only in the bathroom.
Brushing your teeth is not an activity you should do when walking around the house. Multitasking (even if it is just watching t.v.) should not be done with a mouth full of toothpaste foam and toothbrush.
The bathroom is naturally equipped with a sink to handle the toothpaste when you have finished with it, as well as a garbage can for used dental floss.
When you are spending the night in someone else's home, you should never make yourself ALL of the way at home. Use your best manners and do things better than you would do at home, like brushing your teeth in the bathroom (not the kitchen).
I hope this helps!