this works for my son..
I juse natural tooth paste because it wont be so hardsh when he swallows it. and I use just a dab.
Also a soft tooth brush that spins!
and I let him do it hand over hand.
That might help. :)

We have the same issues as you do Lil in regards to all the sensory. I keep his hair cut short #1 cut on the sides with it extremely short on top. That way we don't have to worry about brushing. Our son loves to swim so he pretends to swim in the tub and dunks his head to wet it and rinse it. Then we quickly get a towel to dry the head...This has greatly reduced the washing hair routine...thank God.

As far as brushing teeth, this is such a struggle. We pretty much do the same as Stevensmom. We have the spinning toothbrush. It has taken a bit for him to get used to because it tickles a bit. It took me a bit to get used to my Sonicare...lol. Our son, age 7, will use the Spongebob toothpaste but, only just a little bit (took forever to find one). I still watch him closely and he doesn't get in there like his younger neurotypical sisters, but he tries. I have him spit a lot. I also use the flossing tool afterward, because I'm more concerned with the food sticking in between the crevices. That works good and doesn't seem to bother him at all. I also have him rinse really well.

When he was younger, I often followed up by using bubblegum flavored ACT. It's not easy to find. But, he seemed to be able to handle rinsing with that a lot easier than brushing with the toothpaste. The dentist recommended doing that for us. It's not a substitution, but it is something there to help protect his teeth after trying to brush and floss.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!

My son has the same problem. I have also been looking for answers. Our dentist uses a papoose board So I have been trying to make one for us to use.

Everytime I do something like cut fingernails, brush teeth, brush hair, etc...my daughter allows me to do it as long as I count to 10. After 10, we are done. Even if we aren't done.
But as long as I am counting, she will hold still. Sometimes I count really slowly. I know this sounds silly, but it works.

ooooooooh a flossing tool I am getting one and see if Steven will handle that!!!
awsome idea thank U!

my son won't brush his teeth either but he likes to spit he don't like going to get his hair cut either but we cut it at home for him we bought a hair cutter at walmart and been using it for 2 years now I been using thsi tooth paste called colgate whitening with scope if u put it on a spinning toothe brush while your child is in the bath tub and don't let them see you do it that will help the tooth paste will sink to the bottom onf the brush and they won't know untill they brush I brive my son he's autistic too his main problem is with the tooth brushing and medication he takes about 6 different medications everyday for asthma and allergies and i have to trick him i put it in root beer soda he will still smell the glass or cup but they have a new kind of sippy cup with a straw thats what i use to put it in he can't smell itin htere and it won't spill out or speww out

Speak to your OT about the "brush and press" therapy. This worked well with my daughter. Also your OT should have some oral tools for you son. I looked all over and finally found a wonderful ped dentist that allowed my daughter and I to go into the office when no one was there and explore the whole office. I left with a big of stuff and put together a sensory book to help her prepare for the trip to the dentist. We did have to have her hospitalised to have work done at first; but now she'll go in and at least have her teeth cleaned. Hope this helps