How can I make my 1 year old to brush his teeth?

The easiest way I've found to deal with this is to get one of the "starter kits" for infants that are sold in places like ToysRUs and baby shops. The kit comes with a set of three "brushes" which you use to get the idea of brushing going. The first one doesn't much look like a brush, it looks like a handle with bumps on it. The second one has molded bristles, perfect for those first few teeth. The last one is more like a familiar toothbrush, although sized for a baby mouth. I used them with all my children. If you give the brush to the child, they most often end up poking them in their mouth to start with. They chew on it as well- which is fine. You don't have to add toothpaste to it either, although a tiny little dab is okay. The baby can chew on it a few times a day, and it works a lot smoother if you let them do the holding. Once the baby is a bit older, perhaps about the age yours is now- I play the "you brush my teeth, I brush yours" game. I give them my toothbrush and let them brush my teeth. I then brush at theirs. Of course, I redo the job on me later. We continue to brush our teeth together for some time to come, by the way. Eventually, I work towards them brushing their own teeth, while I brush mine- and we do an imitate game. They do what I do, to see if they can. Sometimes, especially at first when I know their job isn't that great- we will inspect each other's teeth to make sure they are "clean". I tell mine I see a spot they missed, and get it. Then I notice a "spot" on mine that they can help me with. By the time they are about two, they actually do a pretty good job. It's not been brushing that is the trouble- it's been flossing that was tricky. But now they have flossers, and that would make it a lot easier when they get closer to two. For now, I think you will have more cooperation if you get the kit, and let him handle the brushing to start with. Play the games, make it fun, and the tears and fighting should stop.