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How to Clean a Baby’s Tongue

© baby's tongue is coated

Oral hygiene practices are not limited only to adults but are important to children and babies as well. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should have his or her first visit to the dentist approximately at the time of eruption of the first tooth (usually between 3 to 9 months) or by the age of 12 months the latest. When the child has special needs, this visit can be done earlier.

A child should have a few basic oral hygiene procedures during the first year of life for there is a general agreement among dentists that removal of plaque should begin as soon as the first baby teeth erupt. The parent plays an important role in this early cleaning to keep the baby’s mouth healthy. Cleaning and massaging the baby’s gums before the baby teeth erupt can help in establishing a healthy oral flora and help the process of teething. Therefore, even though your baby does not have any teeth yet, it does not mean that you do not need to keep his or her mouth clean. Continue reading