How do you get your toddler to brush their teeth?

Get an electric toothbrush. Have him pick out a character one out. and have him pick out the toddler tooth paste too. They have fun characters on them, he might be more willing to let you brush his teeth that way. I had trouble getting my son to let me brush his teeth when he was that age. He's 5 now and loves brushing his teeth with his spongebob toothbrush. :)

When a child is under 6 you should be brushing his teeth for him. Before this age they just can't properly do good enough of a job, this was common sense reaffirmed by my daughters dentist. Additionally, right around now is a good time to see the dentist for the first time.

Sounds like he just needs some work on behaviour. This is something he has to do. At two he needs to have some sort of punishment, even a time out will work. With time out you need to give him 1 chance, tell him to open his mouth and keep it open, if he doesn't then he goes straight to time out, explain to him why calmly, if he gets out put him back in until he listens, after 2 minutes (1 minute for each year) of him sitting there, allow him to apologize and acknowledge what he did, finish off with a hug. *Note that he may get up a thousand times, what is important it that you stay true to what you are doing and stay calm.

Eventually your child won't want to put up a fight, fighting is not fun, listening is easier. Start now and your child will listen to you in the future.

EXTRA TIPS:

- Try picking out a special tooth brush together. This can be fun as they really cute tooth brushes for this age.

My daughter is 4 1/2 and has been to the dentist 3 times, she was awesome every time because of our routines and my expectation of her. Not cavities either, even with having milk at bed.

You just have to keep at it...

My son went through this phase, but I made sure to brush his teeth every single night before bed... as tired as he was, as much as he may have cried about it, I would not let him even lay down without brushing his teeth.

He may fight you and resist for a few nights.. but stick with it, and after a week or so, he'll realize this is something that must be done and you'll have no problems from him from then on..

I had one that was resistant to brushing teeth. When she was a toddler, I had to lay her on the floor on her back and sit on her to brush her teeth. She's a stubborn one, but I am more determined than she is stubborn. I gave her two options every night: (1) you brush your teeth and Mommy checks them (2) Mommy brushes your teeth. If she refuses either, I offer a third option: stand in the naughty corner until you are ready to brush your teeth or ready to have Mommy brush your teeth. Which do you choose?

In our house, brushing teeth is not an option, never was. It MUST be done. Every day before bed and after breakfast. My oldest was so excited about her first day of kindergarten, but when she resisted brushing her teeth after breakfast, she had to stand in the naughty corner for 4 minutes. She missed the bus and had to be driven to school, and she was late and very upset about it. I don't care, though, because she went with clean teeth and that was the last time she refused to brush.

Hang tough. Be the boss. Don't take no for an answer, no matter how hard it gets. Big girl was the one I had to sit on as a toddler to get her teeth cleaned. I have weak enamel that I am told is a genetic thing. I don't know yet if either of my kids have it (it can only be diagnosed in adult teeth), but I am determined to do everything I can to keep them from having mouths full of cavities like I had. My mom was quite lenient when it came to brushing teeth and I paid for it. I'll not let that happen to my kids. Its simply a part of the bedtime routine, like bath, using the potty, reading a story, night-night prayers, etc.

Of course, you have to make it as fun as possible: let him pick out his own toothbrush, toothpaste, cup for rinsing, etc. You can sing a song for the 2 min. he should be brushing. You can teach him that he can spit as hard as he wants to and as much as he wants to in the sink (boys love to spit), etc. Brush your teeth with him. Let him brush your teeth while you brush his. Play "dentist" and brush his teeth in a recliner, if you have one, etc. Anything you can think of to make him willing to do it, but do not ever, not even once, let him get away with not brushing.

Hang in there. It will become a habit. Good luck!

If you don't give sugary food or drinks then he isn't likely to get cavities that quickly, even if you don't brush his teeth.

My son did the same thing until he turned three. Then I tried the my turn your turn thing. I brushed his teeth and he brushes mine. That works well for us and I get to brush his teeth most days. He is starting to brush them himself too instead of chewing and sucking on the brush. Your son is also old enough to use a fluoride free toothpaste.

Good luck!! :)

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Try toddler toothpaste(no flouride) and a toothbrush that's fun. ie: lights up or plays music...