Whatever you, do you have to stick with it. My son now has permanent teeth in the front that are missing because of the same issue. Try letting the kiddo just walk around w a toothbrush all day. Most kids have a need for oral sensory input anyway. They also make these u-shaped toothbrushes that fit over every tooth and they vibrate. Use an edible reinforcer I know it’s kind of counterproductive, but you’ll get a little more plaque than you likely would without it. Also, my son has had to be sedated every time he has dental work. I live in California our Regional Center pays for it twice a year. Stay on top of it!! You have no idea the amount of guilt that I have and his dad has regarding not staying on top of his teeth and now it feels like he’s not gonna have many left and he’s only 11. The struggle is real though I get it. And my son has really poor teeth genetically. Our teeth are all tiny. He has probably like the smallest teeth I’ve ever seen.

Just keep trying, he might grow out of this fear.

ACT bubblegum flavor toothpaste and singing the alphabet once, slowly. When the song is over, we're all done. It helps! Or, you can tell your child what you are doing while you are doing it... "Okay, let's do the top right, now the top left. Now we'll do the bottom right, left, front"...etc.

Mines was the same however we found he is a visual learner with YouTube videos like cocomelon / super simple - they have songs on about brushing your teeth etc … we copied the song while he’s watching it with putting toothpaste on then I hand it over to him to chew on & eventually he starts to brush himself- in nursery they give them toothbrushes everyday for them to explore / play with - now & then I can take a little hold & give them an extra brush but long as they are getting the paste in there mouth it’s a small accomplishment

Yes Catherine also big struggle everyday she gives me just enough time to brush 4 times on each side and top and bottom then she shut her mouth. But we always sing the same song each time. I tell her that all the other kids and adults have to do it every day. Lol.