Clean an Infant's Mouth

As hard as it is to believe, your little one is on her way to becoming a full-fledged person, complete with a full set of teeth. Though your baby may not have any pearly whites yet, it’s still a good idea to get into good habits now, to ensure your child has good oral health in the future.

Steps

Preparing to Clean

  1. Gather the necessary materials. You will need either a washcloth or terry cloth finger cots, which fit over the finger and are made for this purpose.[1] You can also opt for an oral massager and toothbrush, which is made of rubber and fits on your finger like a thimble.
    • Should you choose to use terry cloth finger cots or an oral massager, you will be able to find them in most drugstores. They can also be ordered online.
  2. Wash your hands. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before cleaning baby's mouth. You want to ensure you're not spreading any germs to him in the process.
  3. Wrap the washcloth or terry cloth around your finger. Dampen it with water.
  4. Lay your baby in your lap. Baby should be face up in your lap, with her head close to your chest. From this position you will be able to look directly into your child’s mouth.

Caring for the Mouth

  1. Put your finger near baby’s mouth. When you put your finger near your baby's mouth, your baby will slowly open his mouth as he thinks that you are trying to feed him.[2]
    • Be patient. This is new to your baby, so don’t give up if your child doesn’t open his mouth right away.
  2. Gently put your finger in her mouth. Rub the upper and lower gum lightly. You do not need to do this more than one time or scrub the gum in any way.
    • Don’t be surprised if baby tries to bite you. It is natural for your baby to bite your finger when you try to put your finger into her mouth.[2]
    • Reassure your baby with a smile. You may even want to talk her through the process. Though she may not understand at first, she will appreciate hearing your voice.
    • You may also want to have baby's favorite toy on hand, to keep her entertained during the cleaning.
  3. Repeat daily. Determine a set time to clean your baby’s mouth. It could be after he has had his last meal of the day or first thing in the morning. Do what works best for your schedule.
    • As part of the routine, come up with a song you can sing to baby while you're cleaning his mouth. Make the experience as enjoyable as possible!



Tips

  • By the time your baby has reached one years of age and has developed his or her molars, you should start using a toothbrush all the time.
  • Talk to your pediatrician or dentist about using a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste once teeth are in.
  • Once your baby's teeth first start coming in, you can keep using a washcloth or switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush.

Warnings

  • Be careful about the position you are holding your baby in. To prevent spine damage, don't hold the baby up straight until he/she can support the weight of their head.
  • Babies have small sharp teeth when the do appear. Sometimes just an invisible tip is enough to hurt you. Beware of bites.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/infant-oral-care/article/your-infants-mouth
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.toothclub.gov.hk/en/pnc/en_pnc_2_1_1_2.html
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