Pacifiers offer benefits to babies since they satisfy the sucking reflex and can help soothe them when nothing else works. They’ve even been linked to a decrease in SIDS. One concern some parents tend to have is the long-term impact the extended sucking can have on their baby’s mouth and teeth. Parents must decide when the right time to take away the pacifier depending on development and the risks.
It is recommended that parents should stop their child’s pacifier use by the age of four. Prolonged use can cause problems with alignment in the jaw and hinder proper teeth development. Orthodontists have noted that problems caused by extended pacifier use with alignment typically correct themselves within six months of breaking the habit.
Using a pacifier past the age of four into childhood can lead to long-term alignment problems, crowding, an over bite, or an under bite. These problems impact your child’s baby teeth and can also proceed into adulthood. Issues due to prolonged pacifier use can require orthodontic treatment later on such as an expander or braces. It’s more beneficial to stop use while your child is young than it is to treat mouth problems such as malformed teeth, crowding, and an over or open bite that impacts long-term dental health.
Some children give the pacifier up without a problem, while others make it a battle. Develop a plan to curb and eventually stop using the pacifier. Some things that can help cut down on your child’s pacifier use include:
• Limit pacifier use to naps and bed time to establish a limit for appropriate use
• Offer an incentive to your children for getting rid of it, such as a new toy or a special trip somewhere in celebration of growing up
• “Send” the pacifier to the tooth fairy
• Find alternate ways to comfort your child when they’re sad, angry, or upset.
Pacifiers can be useful to help soothe your baby, but they can have negative impacts on your baby’s mouth if used for an extended time period. Your Dental Office offers Pediatric Dentistry, to have a better understanding of your child's teeth development and overall oral health book an appointment today.