How should the nurse advise cleaning the teeth of an 11-month-old infant?

• A. Use diluted fluoride and rub the teeth with a soft washcloth
• B. Use water and a cotton swab and rub the teeth
• C. Use a small amount of toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush
• D. Dip the infant's pacifier in maple syrup so that the infant will suck

Answer: (B)

Cleaning an 11-month-old’s mouth starts with gentle cleansing using only water and a soft cloth or gauze. At this age, teeth are just erupting, and using toothpaste or fluoride isn’t necessary and can lead to swallowing fluoride. Wiping the gums and emerging teeth with a damp cotton swab or cloth establishes a safe, gentle routine without the risk of overexposure to fluoride. Dipping a pacifier in maple syrup adds sugar and promotes decay, so it’s not appropriate. Toothpaste with a toothbrush is typically introduced later, when the child can spit or rinse, usually around age 2 with only a tiny pea-sized amount. So the best approach is to use water and a cotton swab to rub the teeth.