What will the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner teach the parent of an infant about cleaning the child's teeth?

• A. To allow the child to control the amount of toothpaste used
• B. To choose a toothpaste with a mint flavor
• C. To use a smear of toothpaste and not to rinse the mouth
• D. To use a toothpaste containing whitening agents

Answer: (C)

Infants need fluoride protection, but because they swallow a lot of toothpaste, only a tiny amount is used. Use a smear the size of a grain of rice on the brush and have the parent supervise, controlling the amount rather than letting the child decide how much to use. After brushing, do not rinse the mouth with water; have the parent have the child spit out the toothpaste and then wipe away any residue. This leaves fluoride on the tooth surfaces longer, helping prevent cavities. Whitening agents aren’t appropriate for young infants, and while mint flavor isn’t harmful, the emphasis here is on the very small amount of toothpaste and not rinsing to maximize fluoride exposure.