Baby’s Tongue Care: 6 Super Simple steps to keep that Tiny Tongue Clean

Have you ever wondered how many bacteria the tiny mouth (especially the baby’s tongue) would be harbouring when you just forget to clean it or think it is not important yet??

The day one of the newborn’s life starts with intake of milk, and this milk keeps depositing on the various surfaces in the mouth, the gums, the cheeks and especially the tongue.

It is parents’ duty to clean the baby’s tongue at least twice a day without failing to remember, as it is said, oral health leads to overall health.

When you remember to give your newborn baby a warm water bath and wash the baby’s head too, then why not clean the baby’s mouth every day?

It is important and mandatory to help your child have a clean mouth, the same way it is for you.

Related: Fissured Tongue

How to clean your baby’s tongue?

1. First and foremost, wash your hands. A newborn baby doesn’t have good immunity, and therefore, anything that goes into the child’s mouth should be clean.

2. Hold your baby in one arm till your chest such as you can clearly see the baby’s mouth.

3. Take a clean gauze piece or a cotton cloth and wrap it around your finger. You can also use a silicone finger brush.

4. Dip it in lukewarm water. Make sure it is just damp and not soaking wet.

5. Gently open the child’s mouth by pulling down the lower lip a little and place your finger over the tongue.

6. Rub your finger with minimal pressure in a circular motion over the tongue to remove any white deposits that could be milk.

Tips and Tricks

1. If your child is fussy or not in a very good mood at the moment, delay the cleaning until your child is feeling better.

2. Along with the tongue, you can also clean the baby’s gums as well as the cheeks.

3. You can also use a silicone finger brush to clean the tongue instead of the gauze piece

4. If you are unable to remove the white patches, do not put pressure; it can be a fungal infection Candidiasis (Oral Thrush), and visit a paediatrician.

5. Distract the child and make him or her laugh before cleaning so that he or she opens the mouth on their own.

6. Once your baby starts getting teeth, start cleaning the tooth, using either a silicone finger brush or a normal kids’ age-appropriate toothbrush from day one.

7. Clean the tongue at least twice a day.

Related: 15 Best Kids Toothbrush Agewise For Good Oral Health: Dentist Recommended

Happy Parenting!