Tooth phobic 3 year old :(

[mixedraceparents]

Basically he WILL NOT let us brush his teeth, and he's also quite sensitive about people washing him or washing his hair.

He likes sweets although we are limiting his intake but his teeth are really suffering. The only way we can brush his teeth is by holding him down and obviously that is not ideal.

Any suggestions please?

Am desperate

Not really. But I would say no to sweets, juice, raisins - all those nice things that rot the teeth - and tell him why. My friend's 3 year old is waiting for a filling - 18 week wait as she will have to have a general anaestetic - and she's in terrible pain.

If he likes sweets, maybe say he can have one after his teeth are cleaned. It's bacteria that rot teeth rather than sugar. Sugar makes the bacteria multiply, but you will have cleaned his teeth. And clean them during the day when he's not tired.