SID - Teeth Brushing?

Start by skipping the toothpaste. More important to just scrub them. Besides I find most people put way too much toothpaste on, I barely put a taste on or it causes too much foaming (we use Tom's of Maine for kids or just plain baking soda) Have you tried an electric toothbrush? My almost 4yo DS with SID has liked them better at times and at other times said they were too tickly. But it is worth having one around. His OT has a rubber toothbrush like tool that just has rubber nubs instead of bristles. It is not for actual brushing but it is used to help orally sensitive kids get used to something moving around in their mouth. She gave me one to use at home. We "look for monkeys". He opens his mouth and I use the tool to press down on his molars, pull his cheeks to the side, etc. My son does well now with the toothbrushing but we still play dentist sometimes where he lays back and lets me check and brush each tooth...we make a big game out of it.

Sorry, I don't have advice on the teethbrushing (we also struggle), but could you give me a link to that cup thingy for hair washing? Thanks!

Toothpastes really vary. There are gels, pastes, powder you sprinkle on the brush, strong flavors, mild flavors, pastes that are very sticky and pastes that are more watery. I'd try a lot of them. I would have her try them in a quick way (rather than doing th whole toothbrushing).

I didn't realize I had more option in toothpaste... I'll start that search next. I did have some luck with an electric toothbrush that was a princess....I made it talk like a princess and made it ask her if she could clean the germs out of her teeth. That worked for about a week... maybe I'll have to get more creative with other toothbrushes.

As for the cup...I got mine on Amazon - then a week later I saw it for sale in the WalMart isle with the baby tubs and such. It looks like this: http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/442788.html

We've had some luck by applying a small amount of toothpaste, then dipping the tip of the brush in pure xylitol sugar (a kind of sugar which is supposed help prevent cavities but tastes just like regular sugar).

DD's issues aren't so much with the taste/feel of the toothpaste, though. She's extremely defensive about anything in the face area, including washing her face.

Every night brushing teeth is different at our house. I just never know what will work...sometimes me, sometimes DH...sometimes DS 3.5 YO himself.

We have many types of brushes and several toothpastes....he chooses any combination. Sometimes we do blast off count down and are DONE. Sometimes I put him up on the "special throne" (my knee) and he likes to have them brushed while upside down. Sometimes he brushes in the bath tub...other times we have him lie on the floor, with head in our lap and holding a mirror so he can watch. We are always 'chasing' something around...diggers, mice, bugs or insects, fireflies, astronauts...whatever works. Other times we skip it and he does the brushing in the morning when he is less grouchy. As fast and silly as we can make it....we also have let him brush OUR teeth, and that taking turn thing has helped.

HTH!