What type of toothpaste do you use? We use Thomas the Train. It has florid in it and taste good to him. Also, I let him brush my teeth first and then he lets me brush his. At first he didn't like me doing his teeth either. When he refused I had my husband hold him down while I brushed his teeth. He cried and pitched a huge fit, but he learned that it was going to be done either the hard way or the easy way. After about two weeks of this he finally gave in. All I have to do is call my husband if he refuses and my son instantly opens up.

Thanks, Beth. Problem is, Elias ends up eating the toothpaste instead of using it to brush his teeth. But I like your idea of calling in reinforcements!

Nancy, try using a reward for brushing his teeth. My son will do anything for an m&m. Problem is, he had just brushed his teeth! So we would start the teeth brushing early enough that we could watch Diego for a few minutes or play his favorite game, etc. Tell him you are going to brush his teeth and ask him what he wants to do next. Suggest some activities that are big rewards - my son also likes to find Elmo on the computer. Then, remind him as you are brushing his teeth. The other important point is to shape the behavior. So, at first, he gets the reward for flailing while your husband holds him and you brush his teeth. In a day or two, he needs to do it with less flailing. In another few days, he needs to open his mouth on his own and so on and so on.

I have found, also, with this age, that they will say they want somehting and then when you tell them they have to do something they don't want (brush teeth), they say they don't want the reward. What works with our son is to say, "ok, fine, no Diego" and walk away. DO NOT give him what you just talked about. My son will come to where the reward is and ask for it. At that point, I say, "brush teeth first" or whatever the undesired activity is. Sometimes he isn't happy, but he has learned that sometimes to get what he wants, he has to do thing that aren't his favorite.

Every patient has the right to question the dental professional who is about to provide a service and if you are not comfortable with the answers then get up and walk out and find another office. You also have the right to ask to see the sterilization area and talk to the dentist before you have any procedures done.

That's every parents' problem but I have learned from Tantrum Toddlers Researcher that you should try giving some rewards to your toddler. If it doesn't work, try to consult his pediatrician and his dentist.