Baby care:Oral Care

Although your baby does not have any teeth during the early months of life, it is still important to keep their mouth clean. Cleaning your baby’s gums, teeth and tongue are all part of a good oral health. You can begin cleaning your infant’s mouth as soon as they are born. Actually, the earlier you begin oral care, the faster and easier your baby will adjust to having their mouth cleaned during daily care routines. Clean your baby’s mouth once in the morning and again at night. Not cleaning your baby's mouth can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria which can cause tooth decay.

To clean your baby’s mouth, gather all necessary supplies first. You can use a clean, wet washcloth or you can also buy a finger toothbrush for infant oral care. Lay your baby on a flat, but comfortable, surface with their face looking upwards so that you can see directly into the mouth.. Using the washcloth or finger toothbrush, gently clean the gums. After the gums have been cleaned, careful wipe down the tongue with a wet washcloth. Once your baby has teeth that touch each other, you should floss between the two teeth.

Once your baby’s teeth begin coming in, you may switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush made for infants. If you feel like you must use toothpaste, only use fluoride-free toothpaste on young children.