Do you clean your newborn's tongue or gums after feeding?

erosa · June 2009

A few people have told me that I should clean the baby's tongue and gums after he gets his milk. Anyone here do this?

srex_ee · June 2009

Personally, I don't see the point...it's going to be coated again soon enough afterwards anyway...but yes, I have heard of that too.

holly423 · June 2009

No, I've never heard of this. What do they suggest you clean it with?

manda_mullins · June 2009

we do it a couple times a week right now

LauraLovesJon · June 2009

I've never done it.

busygal · June 2009

Not necessary until they start getting teeth. My almost 6-m.o.-DD just started solid foods and when I saw the pedi yesterday I asked if I should be doing this. He said, she has no teeth so it's not necessary.

busygal · June 2009

manda_mullins:
we do it a couple times a week right now

I can see doing this, just to help baby be used to having his teeth "brushed". But not after every feeding.

pkate98 · June 2009

not really necessary until 6 months or teething.

Mrs.C042807 · June 2009

I asked my dentist about this last week. She said to use a wet washcloth and go over LOs gums once a day.

That said, we still haven't started doing it.

FutureHernandez · June 2009

Mrs.C042807:

I asked my dentist about this last week. She said to use a wet washcloth and go over LOs gums once a day.

That said, we still haven't started doing it.

How on earth can you get them to open their mouth? I've tried and Matthew closes his mouth like an alligator.

manda_mullins · June 2009

busygal:
manda_mullins:
we do it a couple times a week right now
I can see doing this, just to help baby be used to having his teeth "brushed". But not after every feeding.

?

we mostly do it bc his breath is so nasty lol?

icyblueeyez19 · June 2009

We do it with a wet washcloth, mainly b/c DD loves it.

stephanne · June 2009

i get one of those flat cotton things (like flat cotton balls) wet it and wipe down his mouth after his nightly bath everday.

dim92974 · October 2013

hi how do you clean your baby's tongue? Someone told me to use a moist wash cloth, but its a little difficult and i don't want to gag her.

Ffrey1119 · October 2013

busygal said:
Not necessary until they start getting teeth. My almost 6-m.o.-DD just started solid foods and when I saw the pedi yesterday I asked if I should be doing this. He said, she has no teeth so it's not necessary.

This

Martinez720 · October 2013

I do it w a wet wash cloth not after every feeding but mostly when it's bath time

Unknown · October 2013

This content has been removed.

jaydamuhindra · October 2013

busygal said:
manda_mullins:
we do it a couple times a week right now

I can see doing this, just to help baby be used to having his teeth "brushed". But not after every feeding.

This is exactly right. It's never too early to start. The reason is that it will encourage your LO to become more comfortable with the action of brushing/cleaning therefore easier for them to tolerate and to establish good oral hygiene when the teeth come in. You can gently massage the gum with a clean washcloth after feeding once a day. I'm a dentist.

crissylalala · March 2014

Yes you should clean gums and tongue at least once a day, if only once then night bedtime is best. Bacteria builds up. A cool wet wash cloth. Watch videos on YouTube for techniques

crissylalala · March 2014

Yes you should clean gums and tongue at least once a day, if only once then night bedtime is best. Bacteria builds up. A cool wet wash cloth. Watch videos on YouTube for techniques

cagoldi · March 2014

We do but not after every feeding. I wipe once in the morning and again before bed. At his daycare they wipe his gums and tongue each time he finishes a feeding.

He didn't go for it when I just used a washcloth. I started using Dr. Brown's gum wipes and he loves it. They're grape flavored.

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