Your baby loves having a pacifier. In fact, if they were in charge, you wonder how old your child would be before they retired their “binkie”? It turns out there is such a thing as too much pacifier use. Read on to find out from a pediatric dentist in Allen about the problems pacifiers can create, as well as how to make sure they are safe for your little one.
What’s the Problem?
The American Dental Association has stated that pacifiers, as well as thumb-sucking, can inhibit the correct growth of a child’s mouth and teeth alignment, as well as cause changes to the roof of their mouth. The University of Rochester Medical Center points out that pacifier use elevates the risk of oral issues once a child turns three. In a baby’s first year, pacifier use increases the chances of ear infections and difficulties with breastfeeding.
With all that being said, pacifiers definitely have their positives. They calm a crying infant and a stressed-out parent simultaneously. Pacifiers can provide pain relief for a nursing infant. They reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Also, pacifiers are very helpful in teaching tube-fed babies how to use a bottle, which can reduce hospital stays.
What Does Responsible Pacifier Use Look Like?
The level of intensity at which a baby sucks a pacifier heavily correlates with the development of dental problems. Passive sucking of a pacifier or thumb is much less of an issue than a vigorous approach. It’s crucial for parents to observe how their child utilizes the pacifier.
Definitely avoid dipping your child’s pacifier in sweet liquids to avoid cavity risk. Also, pass on purchasing pacifiers that have removable parts or liquid on the inside; stick to a simple one-piece version.
Ensure They Retire When It’s Time
You don’t read much about a child retiring, but you’ll need to remove the pacifier from their life at a certain point while also steering them away from thumb-sucking. Most kids stop both of these sometime between the ages of 2-4 or at the point when their permanent teeth are ready to come in.
If you are concerned about your child being able to kick these habits or if you notice changes in their primary teeth, be sure to schedule an appointment with their pediatric dentist. The dentist might recommend an oral appliance to help them stop or have other effective methods. Since children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or uncomfortable, adopting a method of encouragement and praise will likely be more effective than scolding them to stop.
Pacifiers can certainly be a great tool when seeking to calm your baby. But you’ll need to make sure they don’t get too much of a good thing as they grow older for the sake of their developing smile!
About the Author
Dr. Justin Chan has been working hard for the little smiles of the DFW Metroplex for a decade. He earned his dental doctorate from New York University. Dr. Chan is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He and fellow dentist Dr. Sage Yoo have some proven strategies geared toward positive reinforcement to help your child smoothly transition away from pacifiers and thumb-sucking. They look forward to talking with you at your little one’s appointment, which you can schedule on their website or call (469) 663-0098.