Dear Abby: My husband’s teeth are disgusting – I can’t find him attractive until he changes them

Dear ABBY: I have been with my husband for 10 years. For a long time I didn’t decorate our house because I didn’t want to spend the money. But for the past few years, I’ve spent many hours poring over Pinterest. I love interior decorating and know exactly how I want every room in the house to look

The problem is my husband. I once tried to buy a new shower curtain. It was a big debacle because he didn’t like the one I had chosen. Abby, I’ve done my homework. How do I convince my husband to let me decorate? I fear that every paint color and every piece of furniture will be an argument, and I’m so discouraged that I don’t even try.

We’ve had the same curtains, bed, and dining room table for years, and our house is pretty ugly. Should I start making changes without consulting him? Should I sit down and talk to him? Is it right of me not to consider his preferences? – FRUSTRATED CREATOR

DEAR FRUSTRATED: In any case, discuss this with your husband before making any changes. Under no circumstances should you do anything without consulting him. It would be grossly unfair to ignore his opinion. Some compromises will have to be made. The least controversial way to achieve this would be with the help of a professional decorator who can take your preferences into account and help you blend them.

Dear ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 16 years, together for 22. He is the love of my life, my sunshine and roses. He is a wonderful husband and an even better father

You are probably wondering why on earth I am writing to you. Well, his teeth are disgusting. They are stained, tattered and just plain gross. He is overcoming some self-confidence issues related to his weight. He’s lost a good chunk, and I’m super proud of him, but how can I say, “Great job! But there is still something wrong with you”?

For the record, his weight means nothing to me. I have never pushed him to be “thin” or “kind” but rather to be healthy and strong enough to keep up with our kids and get off the CPAP machine. Money and dental expenses are not an issue, but he would rather spend the extra money doing fun things as a family, making memories and having adventures, which is great. I just wish he had a nice smile while doing it. Tips? – NOT PERFECT IN OHIO

Dear not at all: Because your husband’s teeth are closed, you will have to deal with the problem. Wait until he’s at or near his goal weight, then tell him that even though you adore him, you’d find him more kissable if he dealt with his dental issue. Tell him that putting it off may make the problem harder to fix. Your family dentist may be able to help or refer you to a good cosmetic dentist.Â

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.