I've struggled with DS (3.5) and teeth brushing until recently. I make sure I give him TONNES of water after every meal, limit his juice intake ( to virtually zero.... it's a rare occasion he gets juice), and make him have water before bed everynight.
One thing I found to encourage the kids to use their tooth brushes was to let them brush their teeth in the bath. They seem to enjoy having their own freedom to do as they wish.
Honestly, as long as your little man isn't sleeping with a bottle, having tonnes of sugary drinks and foods and drinks plenty of water, a short sharp brush twice a day should do it.
It's all I've done with my 2 and DS had his first dentist visit today to which the dentist commented on what wonderful healthy teeth he had. I was worried I was going to get totally flamed as it can be such a struggle at times.
DD LOVES to brush her teeth and would do it 100 times a day if I let her (sometimes I do... not with toothpaste though).
I don't like the idea of holding them down as I feel it's a negative reinforcement and will prevent children from wanting to brush.
We let DS have toothpaste (the tiniest of tiny smears, unless he gets his hands on a tube...) but he has to rinse and spit (he's getting quite good at that). And I let him choose his own toothbrushes, which seems to work. At least till the novelty of having a wiggles or dora toothbrush wears off, then it's time for a new one.
I don't worry about how long or thoroughly we brush - anything is better than nothing and it's getting gradually better. Don't want to put him off it entirely.
DS1 I fight with to brush his teeth, 30 secs is about all I get here as well, I am also worried about his teeth nit being cleaned properly, he will happily walk around sucking on toothbrush and putting water on it a million times but if i try and brush with or without toothpaste he cracks it.
I have been told 1st dentist visit anytime after 2nd birthday (we still have not gone yet as i kmow I will need a check up to show him what to do and I am scared of dentist!)
Yeah we have teeth brushing issues here too. I find the only way to get it done is when we are both in the bath (I suppose he is captive then and can't really get away lol). So, unfortunately he only seems to get a really good brush once a day...and it is nowhere near 2 minutes! Toothpaste is a winner for us - he won't even let the toothbrush near his mouth without it.
Perhaps you can pop into your nearest health food store and consider buying some natural toothpaste? They come in really great flavours (strawberry, orange, pineapple etc.). Whilst they are a bit more expensive, you can safely use more of them (without worry about all the nasty chemicals in Colgate etc.) and he may prefer the nicer flavours?
To compensate for the scanty brushing, I always give our DS water after meals. He also sucks his thumb, which stimulates saliva production, which helps as well.
As for seeing the dentist, I actually saw a brochure in our dentist's waiting room encouraging all littlies to have a check up before they are 1 year old. Now I don't know how much this has to do with money - it does seem awfully young to me. Having said that, perhaps it has to do with them identifying any issues (like growth, angle of teeth etc.) that may need to be addressed earlier on? In all honesty, unless they tie him down, I think there is little or no chance that my 19 month old will be happy lying back in the chair, saying "aaaah" and letting the dentist have a good look!!!!
I had a checkup with my dentist a few weeks ago and took DD with me thinking she'd happily sit in her stroller and watch his TV but she completely freaked out, totally lost it! They ended up taking the next patient through while I settled DD and DH had to leave work early and get her! That said, I don't think a checkup with the dentist will be happening anytime soon for our DD I asked the receptionist while there about DD and she said they wouldn't normally suggest a checkup until they're three or so. She said they're more cooperative by then and usually find the whole experience fun - especially the chair She said as long as we are teaching her to brush - and just sucking on her brush is better than nothing - then we are doing fine.
I give DD her brush usually while I do my teeth. Sometimes I'll stand her on our vanity so she can watch in the mirror. I let her play then I try to give them a quick scrub too. We've taught her to spit which is so funny but she hasn't mastered it at all yet. All in good time I say.
I think just do what you can and gradually it will get easier and more productive.
I spoke to the dentist, because I can't get DS to brush his teeth, but he will walk around with the toothbrush in his mouth, moving it around, playing with it and she said that was okay - because it was better than nothing.
I have no luck with teethbrushing, but sometimes I can get him to brush his teeth when he sees me brush my teeth, and other times, DH can get him to brush his teeth by sticking the toothbrush in his mouth, pretending to brush his teeth, then saying "Your turn" (if that makes sense)
We had the same issue for ages. I would attempt to do it, and when he refused, I'd just leave it a few months and come back to it. We started out by letting him have baby toothpaste (bought from Coles) and he would suck on it (I KNOW.....) and just the hang of it. Now at just over 2 & 1/2, he wanted to brush his teeth all by himself, which I let him. We fought over me letting him do it or sharing it. So I would do it some days and then forget about it.
I then had the fortunate experience of seeing an older boy (about 4) on the beach during summer who had yellowish teeth. I pointed it out to my son and did the old ' you don't want yellow teeth like that boy....' and then after a few attempts, he would let me 'clean the yellow off' and he would finish the rest - however that was.
We still have some days about it, but on the whole its been much easier. See if you can explain yellow teeth vs white teeth and see how you go.
I am/was obsessive about wanting clean teeth and good oral habits. But what I've come to understand is that they will approach the task in their own time, so don't waste your time if he wont come to the party.
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I asked the receptionist while there about DD and she said they wouldn't normally suggest a checkup until they're three or so. She said they're more cooperative by then and usually find the whole experience fun - especially the chair 
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