bad hygeine!, he's unpresentable. Options

[Kounouri]

My boyfriend has REALLY BAD HYGEINE.

He has long hair that only brushes before he showers- which only happens once or twice a week, otherwise he just washes his hair every couple days in the sink. He has braces, but he doesn't take care of them and brushes his teeth only once a day(sometimes he forgets in the mornings) so he often has bad breath. He doesn't do his own laundry, so he'll pull dirty clothes off the floor to wear, which sometimes smell at the end of a schoolday ... and when eats messily and noisily, so it's really unattractive. All this really turns me off, and I tell him so sometimes- but I hate to nag so I always feel guilty telling him to go brush his teeth or hair. I think it makes him feel bad how I comment about it sometimes, but it needs to be said- hygenically, he's a slob. I don't know how to turn him around, to get him to take a full shower atleast every other day and to keep himself decent-looking and smelling.

Other than this, our relationship is really strong- he's really loving and easy to get along with, we're honest with eachother and we've been dating for 6 months. We have the same interests and ideas, but his hygeine is really unattractive and gross for me to deal with. I don't know how to get the point across without feeling guilty or making him feel bad- like I said, I tell him sometimes but he doesn't seem to care much.

I know teenage boys are like this to begin with, and being somewhat of a tomboy, I can deal with the farting, burping and messiness. But his hair looks oily all the time and it's gotten to the point where I have to tell him to be presentable if we're going somewhere outside the house. I actually had a friend of mine the other day- a straight guy, by the way- tell my that my boyfriend is "getting ugly."

How do I break it to him nicely?

[Paradox of Life]

If it's really bothering you (you guys are close and honest with each other right?_you should talk to him 1 on 1 without distractions and tell him of your concerns. Don't directly bring it up. Just ease it into it.

If it's just something that's annoying, remind him of it and say it would really impress you if he started being more dressy and clean.

[miz_sunshine]

I agree with Paradox of Life. If you two are close and honest with each other, there should be no problem to tell him. Even though it's hard and since it's really getting to you, just tell him. If you feel like your nagging by saying it almost everyday(not saying you arre cuz i dont know if you are) have a nice long talk and work it out.

[NgocQuyen]

you, my friend, has earned my highest respects. me, personally, i would have never been able to put up with it...you are by far the most talented person i have come across to. and yet you want to tell him...you rocks my socks off...=) well, i would try to talk to him alone just in case you dont want to embarrass him in front of people...just tell him when he cleans up his act he'll be a better person...i think if you present your self well then your personality will be more positive in a way. you know what im saying? i mean, im sure he shouldn't take it too personally, i dont think...its just common sense to take a shower you know?

[Chii]

that's not even as bad as you think it is.

big whoop, i don't shower every day or wash my hair everyday but no one ever notices. i don't have a weird smell nor is my hair all oily. showering bi-weekly doesn't make you some gross slob.

get him a package of gum, a nice bottle of cologne and huzzah, the "stench" is gone and you don't hurt his feelings.

you can ask him about why he does that while he's eating. like when he's all messy ask him why he eats like that. then he'll either tell you or be like "i don't know." after he says that, you can try to teach him how to eat properly so you save some trees/napkins.

[toodlepops.]

Since you've been together for six months, I think he'll be okay if you tell him straight front.

[sprezzatura]

If that really bothers you that much, go tell him, be straight-forward. Buy him cologne, gum (as someone said above) to improve the smell.
If you think he is all that unattractive because of the hygiene, then why does that attract you in the first place? I am just wondering.

[misoshiru]

talk to him about it...and buy him so "hygienic" necessities.