We have a simple rule for brushing. Either they let me brush their teeth (they are 4 and 6) or there are no sweets, juices and such next day.
This is what we do too - it works great!
We have that rule, too, but it hasn't helped. Not even when he knows he is going to the baseball game with Dad and won't be able to have ice cream. I've also tried the threat of the professional cleaning once a month. He doesn't mind the dentist doing it one bit.
I hadn't thought about sensory issues. But, if he doesn't mind the cleaning at the dentist, I wonder. We tried the SoniCare brush with the timer but it just made a mess because he couldn't hold all that in his mouth and the dentist told him not to swallow flouride toothpaste. We've also tried the stuff that turns your teeth red, or whatever color. He did let me brush them this morning but it took a long time and I had to stop after each section (we do quarters of the mouth) and let him spit and rinse. It worked okay so maybe we'll try that again.
