Katayama Y, Takanishi H, Sato Y, et al. - Whether oral care using a sponge brush moistened with sterile water can be effective in decreasing the bacterial load in the oral cavity as well as the incidence of early‐onset ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) in preterm infants, was investigated herein. A significant reduction in the mean bacterial number (cfu/ml) in the oral cavity in infants managed with endotracheal intubation (n = 23), continuous positive airway pressure (n = 38), and high‐flow nasal cannula (n = 22) was seen following vs before oral care. In patients who did not receive oral care, incidence rate of early‐onset VAP following re‐intubation was estimated to be 51%, it significantly reduced to 21% post-receiving oral care. In the light of these findings, experts conclude the likely effectiveness of oral care with sterile water in decreasing the bacterial load in the oral cavity as well as the incidence of early‐onset VAP in preterm infants.