Tongue cleaning is a necessary part of good oral hygiene, and babies need all the help they can get. When your baby begins to chew, their little tongues get all tangled up in everything from string to toothpaste. Getting a tongue cleaner to remove these tangles is easy and painless.
First, start by applying an antiseptic mouthwash to your baby's mouth. It will help to disinfect the area after the fact, but the mouthwash should also keep bacteria away. You can buy these over the counter or ask your doctor for one specifically for newborns. To make it easier, use a baby-friendly brush head so you don't get your child stuck between the bristles and stuck with a foreign object in their mouth.
Next, you'll need a good tongue scraper. A baby's tongue is very sensitive, so this might take a little getting used to. To prepare the scraper for use, mix one tablespoon of liquid detergent with one half cup of warm water. Apply the mixture to the tongue and wipe off with a soft towel. If you want to soften your baby's tongue, add a little apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
One of the most effective, and least expensive, methods of getting plaque off a baby's tongue is called wet brushing. You'll need three things: a soft brush, water, and a baby tongue cleaner. Wet brushing usually starts with a bottle of water, and you'll want to bottle the water about a half full as well. Dip the brush head in the water, but be careful not to wring the bottle dry. After wetting the brush, gently run it over the tongue, rinsing the brush off after every stroke.
After wetting the brush, turn it around and run it over the dry part of the tongue first. This will loosen any dead skin cells that are on the tongue. Then, using a washcloth, gently rub the brush against the baby's tongue. When you're finished, be sure to rinse the washcloth out. This should remove any extra residue from the baby brush. You can repeat this process if you feel that there are any pockets of dry skin on the tongue.
Another useful tool for cleaning the tongue is a mouthwash. You should always have a mouthwash at hand when you're holding your baby, even if he or she has just been swimming. Babies usually get sick easily and using mouthwash can help to disinfect the mouth. You can buy mouthwash in most drug stores or supermarkets. The best mouthwash to buy is one that is specially designed for babies. It's important to dilute the mouthwash with water before you put it on the tongue.
A baby should never be left to his or her own devices while you're at work. Even if you don't have to take a break, your baby should still be watched while you brush his or her teeth. Babies swallow their food at a rapid rate, so they can literally eat their way through a bottle of mouthwash. Using the baby bottle brush, wipe the mouth of the baby as soon as the bottle's suction stops. As the baby drinks from the mouthwash, he or she should drink as much as possible without swallowing it all the way up into his or her throat.
When you're done washing his or her mouth, be sure to clean the baby's tongue, as well. Washing the tongue removes bacteria that could get trapped on the tongue. The same can be said for rinsing the mouth with mouthwash. A couple of times a day is the minimal amount needed to ensure the mouthwash does its job.
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