3 Year Old Won't Let Me Brush His Teeth

My 2yo is the same - I have alot of sympathy. And I admit sometimes he has just cried and screamed though it. But I am trying to brush gently and avoid this as it's not much fun for either of us!
I use baby toothpaste but he just sucks it off and eats it! (I tasted it - it tastes like lollies so no wonder!
He has chosen his own toothbrush with ducks on it. I try different things all the time. Sometimes they work, then he gets sick of it and I have to try something else or we are back at square one. I think that you just have to keep persevering and trying different things without making them anxious about it (i know easier said than done!) because if you don't then it will lead to more pain later.
These are some strategies (that I can remember) that I have tried: letting him have a 'turn' then me doing it. Watching a dvd showing kids singing and brushing their teeth from the dental association (I got it free with coupons out of the newspaper so I think it was a limited thing but i'm sure there'd be other similar ones around - or books). Letting him 'brush' my teeth with my toothbrush after I brush his. Bribes with stickers and praise. Doing it when he is distracted with other things (while watching tv, etc). Letting him play with an extra toothbrush while I brush his teeth. Laying him down (it's easier to get to his teeth this way). Getting him to make funny noises (roar etc) while we brush. Brushing a toy's teeth and praising the toy. I read that getting a timer with a bell can help so long as you stop as soon as it 'dings'? Today I sung (to the tune of row row row your boat) 'brush brush brush your teeth get them really clean open wide show me your pearly whites oh they're really clean' (I got this on the internet today and I'm still searching for more strategies!) Good Luck!

My daughter was the same way, I had to hold her down and deceided that I was making brushing her teeth a bad experience for her. I got 3 toothbrushes, she picked them out.
Then I let her pick which one she wants to use and let her do it. We have been doing this since she was one.
I supervise of course but at first she just sucked the toothpaste off and did not do a good a job but now she has gotten much better. I tell her back and forth and to brush her tongue and she really does a pretty good job. I take her to the dentist (She is 2 and has been 3 times)and the dentist says her teeth are great. Good Luck!!

what tooth pastes do you use, most of them to kids are hot use the ones that taste good, or a taste you know he would like,

I can empathize. My son also fought me until he was about 5. Toothpaste was a big deal. I switched back to the baby toothpastes because there wasn't another one that he liked they were all too hot (we tried them all and his preferences would switch.)
I also bought him a couple toothbrushes he could chew on after each meal-believe it or not that does help. Then I would do a "good" cleaning before bed.
Sometimes chasing "sugar bugs" would do it, I pretended to see them everywhere. Occasionally, I would try to go in through his nose or ears and that worked to get him to open his mouth. Mostly it was just a no nonsense-"if I don't brush your teeth they will get "owwies" and hurt, they will make you sick and we will have to pull them out. Now, stop moving and let me brush your teeth." Some nights were better than others.
good news is that he is now a very responsible teeth brusher and does a great job on his own.
Good luck!

My son chews his toothbrush too. We used to fight it out, but I learned to let it go. I let him brush his teeth his way, and then I show him mine (with a dry toothbrush). He likes to copy me, and so with a daily demonstration he is getting better. True, it is only an attempt at brushing, but only practice makes perfect.
After a couple of weeks without me actually holding him down, I started asking him if mommy could have a turn, and to my surprise, he let me. So, now our routine is: We brush together, then I do a once over, and then we rinse together. Good luck and remember patience.
P.S. I ony use toddler toothpaste with him - 3 year olds are not very good at rinsing yet.

I would definitely recommend a special trip to the store to have your son pick out his own toothbrush! Have you tried the electrical toothbrushes for kids? That was really motivating for my son (although now he prefers the regular).

HI M.,

OK, I just went to the dentist myself the other day and asked about this very same issue, because I have the same problem with both my 3 year old and my 1 year old. Here is what they hygenist told me (seriously):

"Pin them down if you have to and brush their teeth - you aren't traumatizing them, and the pain and agony they will experience having their teeth drilled as a result of poor hygiene is emmense. You can deal with a few minutes of kicking and screaming at home to get it done - but hearing your child scream in pain and fear in the dental chair, as you stand and watch them feel tortured...is terrible."

This scared the pants off of me and I now feel OK about the scream-fest brushing episodes at my house. Also, she told me that by age 4-5, they start enjoying brushing their teeth, that this is just a phase, but one we must push through on their behalf.

So, I just remind myself as I'm doing this at home that I'm saving my kids from worse pain and trauma by doing it at home...and hopefully it will get easier over the next year.

Hang in there - and keep up the brushing!

He is three let him brush his own teeth. He will think it is game, not unless you have made it a bad experience for him. Who cares if he makes a mess .. that is part of the process of learnig! Good Luck