How to Clean Teeth With a Swab

Use a cotton swab instead of a toothbrush to clean sensitive teeth and gums. A cotton swab won't clean the crevices of teeth or in between them, but it can be sufficient for temporary cleanings or for applying whiteners. A cotton swab is also useful and gentle enough for cleaning a baby's teeth.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swab
• Baby fluoride-free toothpaste
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Strawberries (three)
• Bowl

Show More

Instructions

Baby Teeth

• 1

  Put baby, fluoride-free toothpaste on the tip of the cotton swab. Toothpaste is optional, a baby's teeth can be cleaned without it.

• 2

  Place the tip of the cotton swab in the baby's mouth.

• 3

  Brush the teeth clean with the end of the swab.

• 4

  Wipe the swab against the gums to remove plaque.

Adult Teeth

• 5

  Squeeze a drop of toothpaste on the tip of the cotton swab.

• 6

  Place the swab in your mouth and use it to scrub your teeth with the toothpaste.

• 7

  Move the swab over all surfaces of your teeth and tongue.

• 8

  Spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water.

Teeth Whitening

• 9

  Mash two or three strawberries together in a bowl.

• 10

  Dip the swab in the strawberry paste and cover the swab with seeds.

• 11

  Rub the strawberry seeds against your teeth with the swab.

• 12

  Rinse the seeds from your mouth with water.

• 13

  Brush your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove the sugar and acid left behind by the strawberries.

• 14

  Rinse your mouth with water.