Yes I am well aware of foods and sugar, bacteria etc... her statement was in context to worrying about him going through this anti brushing phase, (it doesn't last forever) which she has seen so many times and is also a mother of 4 and really felt unless we gave him extra unhealthy sugars (sadly the people that give coke in a baby bottle type clients) she said it really is fine, just let him have the brush and hope for the best. As long as we just keep showing him that this is what eventually happens, it is part of your daily hygiene routine, then it would be fine. Well, she was right in our situation. Same as our approach to flossing now, (which is the real part of fantastic oral hygiene, you can brush to your heart is content but with out this...) we are just in the dabble stage, but he knows it something you do as part of your routine, we'll get there.
We brush 2 x a day. DS eats about 6 meals a day, so he would have a toothbrush hanging out of his mouth all day lol!
Again, she reminds, rinsing is good. She also doesn't have a problem with sugar free chewing gum and recommends this and claims it helps with the whole production of enzymes, clearing bacteria etc...
It was such a short phase, I chose to just keep reminding him that it is part of our routine, but I didn't push it. I really don't remember what it was like getting my 2nd yr molars, but DS had a tough time, so I let him get through that. He is also spirited and so am I, I understand what it is like to have over sensory issues, and to be pushed really, really bugs me, (DH always telling me to wear socks in the middle of the winter when I complain I am cold, lol... hate socks, feet traps they should be called) so for that too, I let the phase pass. Call me an old softy then.