For infant dental health, which action is recommended?

• A. Wiping the teeth and gums with a disposable tissue after each feeding
• B. Brushing aggressively without water
• C. Using mouthwash on infants
• D. Not cleaning gums until first tooth appears

Answer: (A)

Keeping an infant’s mouth clean from the start helps prevent decay by removing milk sugars and bacteria before they can damage emerging teeth. Wiping the gums and any teeth with a soft disposable tissue after each feeding is a gentle, practical way to do this. It’s safe, easy for caregivers, and helps establish a consistent hygiene habit early on. As teeth begin to come in, you can transition to brushing with a soft brush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste and water. Mouthwash isn’t appropriate for infants and should be avoided, and cleaning the gums before any teeth appear is still important to reduce bacterial buildup and sugar residues.