Dear Prudie,
I am hoping that you can help solve a disagreement about the social
etiquette of flossing. Since flossing is so boring (but also very
important for dental health) I have developed the habit of flossing and
using a gum scraper while I watch television. Combining my dental
hygiene and my penchant for bad television has done wonders for my
dental health, but there is one problem. My boyfriend finds it
completely gross and rude. He's a great guy and we have been dating for
over four years, so I am willing to compromise and refrain from my
dental routine while he is in the room. However, is it really that gross
to floss in the same room as my longtime partner? I'm flossing to get
rid of the microscopic bacteria that builds up; there aren’t chunks of
corn cob flying into my boyfriend's lap. I would never floss when we had
company, but I feel as though the standards should be more lax with a
live-in boyfriend. Am I in the wrong? Or, is my boyfriend being a neat
freak?
—Dental Health Enthusiast