{"id":1867,"date":"2022-05-21T09:42:42","date_gmt":"2022-05-21T09:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/?p=1867"},"modified":"2022-07-06T07:34:00","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T07:34:00","slug":"cleaning-your-babys-tongue-and-mouth-all-ages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/cleaning-your-babys-tongue-and-mouth-all-ages\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning Your Baby\u2019s Tongue and Mouth (All Ages)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral hygiene is an essential part of proper self-care. What\u2019s more, oral hygiene is not only a must for adults but also for babies who may not even have their teeth yet. Cleaning a baby\u2019s mouth, tongue, and baby gums is very important even though they don\u2019t consume solid foods in order to prevent bacteria buildup and white coating. That said, we\u2019ll discuss how to clean a newborn tongue and mouth properly, but you can always trust the expert <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/pediatrician-plantation-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pediatrics in Doral<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Plantation, Florida if you have any additional questions or concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Start Sooner Rather Than Later<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned, bacteria can accumulate even in baby gums, mouth, and tongue. However, because babies don\u2019t have as much saliva as adults, they can\u2019t get rid of the milk residue that easily, which often leads to the development white coating. Cleaning the baby\u2019s mouth and tongue can get rid of this residue properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re wondering how to clean a newborn tongue, start with a soft, damp cloth. This practice will also allow the child to get used to oral hygiene and accept brushing more readily in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Clean Newborn Tongue and Mouth<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need a ton of things in order to clean baby gums, tongue, and mouth effectively. Essentially, all that\u2019s necessary is a washcloth and warm water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start cleaning the baby\u2019s mouth, make sure to wash your own hands thoroughly. Take your baby into your lap while supporting their head with your hand. Then proceed to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover your finger with a cloth and dip it into the warm water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open your baby\u2019s mouth and slowly and gently rub their tongue, using circular motions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, gently rub the inside of the baby\u2019s cheeks and gums<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would be best to clean the newborn\u2019s mouth twice a day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1877 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/07\/How-to-Clean-Newborn-Tongue-and-Mouth.jpg\" alt=\"Side View of Happy Mother Washing Her Adorable Little Child in Plastic Baby Bathtub at Home\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Clean Baby\u2019s Tongue When They Have a Thrush<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, the white coating that occurs on the baby\u2019s tongue is not always a result of milk residue. A condition known as thrush can also be the cause of this. The white coating from both the thrush and milk indeed appear very similar, but you\u2019ll notice the difference when you try to clean it. Namely, the white layer from milk is easy to wipe away, while the one caused by thrush cannot be cleaned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, thrush is a mouth infection caused by a fungus such as oral candidiasis. It\u2019s characterized by white spots that appear on the gums, tongue, the roof of the mouth, as well as the inside of the cheeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thrush has to be treated properly, usually with antifungal meds, in order to prevent the infection from spreading further. Therefore, if you notice that the white coating inside your baby\u2019s mouth doesn\u2019t seem to go away even after wiping it with a damp cloth, make sure to get in touch with the pediatrician.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cleaning a Baby\u2019s Mouth After Six Months of Age<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around the time when your child reaches the age of six months, they will probably have their first tooth. This is the ideal time to introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste to the oral hygiene routine. Of course, it\u2019s important to choose a special, kid-friendly toothbrush with soft bristles and a mild toothpaste.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you can change up the routine from using a cloth to cleaning the baby\u2019s mouth gently with a brush. Of course, you can prolong the use of a washcloth or even a special finger brush made for this purpose for a while longer if you find that more suitable for your child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if you decide to start the brushing once the baby is six months old, keep in mind that you only need to use the tiniest amount of toothpaste \u2013 no larger than a rice grain. When your child is three years old, you can up the toothpaste amount to the size of a pea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Teach Your Toddler to Brush Their Teeth<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though their hand coordination might be well developed for proper teeth brushing and mouth cleaning, keep in mind that toddlers still find it challenging to maintain good oral hygiene. This is why it\u2019s always recommended to keep a check on their brushing and cleaning technique up until they\u2019re anywhere between six and nine years old. The following practices are an excellent place to start when teaching them how to brush their teeth:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by squeezing a tiny bit of toothpaste on a toothbrush you previously wetted<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show your child how to brush by doing it yourself first<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then proceed to brush your child\u2019s teeth gently, all the while explaining every single action<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to mention the importance of brushing both the front and the backside of their teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let your child try to brush their teeth on their own, but you can hold their hand as they do so to guide them<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the child can brush their teeth on their own, still be there to supervise them until they do it properly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make it a point to tell your child that they should never put intense pressure on the toothbrush and that they have to clean their teeth in a gentle manner. Also, explain to them that toothpaste should never be swallowed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1878 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2022\/07\/How-to-Teach-Your-Toddler-to-Brush-Their-Teeth.jpg\" alt=\"Mother and Child Daughter Brushing Teeth in Bathroom\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>When to Take Your Child to the Dentist<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There doesn\u2019t have to be something wrong with the child\u2019s teeth, gums, and\/or mouth in order for parents to take them to the dentist. Just like a daily oral hygiene routine is important, so are regular dentist checkups.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, it\u2019s recommended to take your child to their first dental appointment about six months after their first tooth grows. If they don\u2019t have any teeth by the time they\u2019re one year old, you should still take the child to the dentist around this time. That way, the dentist can keep track of your child\u2019s oral motor development and prevent potential tooth decay from the get-go. What\u2019s more, starting these visits sooner rather than later will help your child get used to the dentist and these types of appointments, which is very important for preventing the shock and fear later on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to make sure your child\u2019s teeth grow healthy, consider the following dental tips as well:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t feed your child too many sugary drinks and foods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When picking a toothpaste, always opt for one that has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Toothpaste\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fluoride<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once they\u2019re three years old, teach your child that all they need is a pea-size amount of toothpaste<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure your child never falls asleep with a bottle in their mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure that every family member has their own utensils so that your child doesn\u2019t use yours<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to schedule the child\u2019s first appointment at the dentist when they\u2019re about one year old<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s true that your child won\u2019t have any memory of you cleaning their mouth and tongue when they were a newborn, but this practice will gradually introduce them to proper oral hygiene that will stick even when they grow up. After all, good oral hygiene always starts from a very early age. If you want to consult a professional and experienced pediatrician about your child\u2019s health, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to us at Worldwide Pediatrics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oral hygiene is an essential part of proper self-care. What\u2019s more, oral hygiene is not only a must for adults but also for babies who may not even have their teeth yet. Cleaning a baby\u2019s mouth, tongue, and baby gums is very important even though they don\u2019t consume solid foods in order to prevent bacteria<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[326],"tags":[329,330,328,327,331],"class_list":["post-1867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cleaning-babys-tongue-and-mouth","tag-baby-gums","tag-cleaning-babys-mouth","tag-how-to-clean-newborn-tongue","tag-oral-hygiene","tag-white-coating"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}