See if you can't make it a more enjoyable experience, something they are excited about.
Let him pick out a toothbrush. Sometimes the spongebob toothbrush that costs $2 more than all the others is the trick to helping him make this decision.
Regular cleanings are VERY important. After your child is about 12-15 months old, they should start seeing a dentist.
They have new toothpaste now for kids that turns green on their teeth when they hit the plaque and they have to brush that all away (ingenious).
Set a timer. Just use a kitchen timer and make sure that he brushes his teeth until the timer goes off. The timer should be set for at least 2 minutes. He needs to brush all around his mouth the whole time. If he stops, reset the timer until he has brushed for 2 minutes without stopping.
Above and beyond, remember sometime that you are the adult and your child is in your care because you know what's best for them and they don't. His teeth are extremely important not only for asthetic purposes, but also for nutrition, development and ability to speak and reason. If you have to forcefully brush his teeth until he is a little older or understands that he needs to do it on his own then don't feel bad about having to do it!
They also make many books out there that tell children about hygene and brushing their teeth that may help him understand the purpose behind it.


