DS is 18 months old and absolutely hates brushing his teeth. I try to use lots of positive encouragement and praise but the most he will do is one small brush stroke on his front teeth and then he sucks the toothpaste off the brush. Usually I have to hold him and quickly brush his teeth while he cries and tries to stop me. I really hate it.

He has 12 teeth at this stage and we live in a town that doesn't add fluoride to the water so I feel quite stressed that he doesn't like brushing his teeth. My town has one of the highest rates of childhood tooth decay in the country Of course brushing teeth is important for everyone but I feel like it's extra important because of where we live. I make sure he sees me brushing my teeth every day and he often witnesses DP brushing as well. We usually do it as a joint activity so he knows it's something we're doing regularly as well.

I'm looking for any tips or ideas on how to make brushing his teeth more fun/enjoyable and less horrible for both of us. I hate holding him down to do it and although he is always willing to come into the bathroom and take his toothbrush his motivation ends right there. Will he grow out of it? I'm worried that being coerced is going to make him avoid brushing but I can't let him not brush either.