My 16 month old had his first two teeth break through when he was about eleven months old. At the time I only brushed them once a day so he could get used to it and then started twice a day. He would chew on the toothbrush and then I would be able to brush them quite well afterwards. I brush them after breakfast and before bedtime everyday.
For the last three months he has been getting more difficult when it comes to brushing his teeth (he has six at the moment). He chews on his toothbrush and seems to like the taste of the toothpaste, but as soon as I try to brush either the top or bottom teeth, be starts screeching. I try to brush them as thoroughly as possible. I don't use a lot of toothpaste and I don't brush them too hard and I don't brush them for too long. Just long enough so I can say they have been cleaned.
I've tried different things! I let him pick his own age appropriate toothbrush so he can take part in it. I say to him about getting our toothbrushes and he follows me into he bathroom and I do hand over hand and let him 'brush' my teeth so he can understand what is happening, he watches me brush my teeth too. I do hand over hand and try and encourage him to brush his own teeth, but he immediately turn shis head.
Someone suggested letting him sit with the toothbrush during the day with no toothpaste on it so he get comfortable with it, but that hasn't made much difference.
When I took him for his dentist appointment, she said the toothbrushes and toothpaste are ideal and did suggest these finger 'puppets' toothbrushes, but he still screeches his head off and throws his head around (I have him leaving against my chest when brushing his teeth). She said sometimes when teething that can cause more sensitivity when brushing. When he does let me look into his mouth, I can't see or feel any new teeth, but that's not to say there isn't any new ones coming through.
I've tried making up songs when brushing his teeth and found some on YouTube that some parents recommended.
I did have someone say to try and brush his teeth in front of a mirror so he can see what I am doing, but unfortunately I don't have space for a large mirror to do that.
I feel awful because he screeches his head off in the morning and evening when I brush them and although my neighbours have kids (we live in a flat), I don't want them thinking I'm torturing him. I praise him each time so I hope he sees it more positively and after a few minutes he settle down again and is happily playing with his toys or something. I know I have to brush them because I don't want him growing up with bad habits of not brushing his teeth, but I dread when it comes to that time of day.
He only drinks water and doesn't really eat anything bad. He enjoys fruit which have their own sugars.
I think I've mentioned everything, but any suggestions?