Are Pacifiers Really That Bad For Your Child’s Teeth?

When it comes to parenting, it can seem like everyone has an opinion regarding how they think you should parent your child. And with the Internet filled with radical claims stating that certain things will ruin your children’s life, it can be hard to know what things to take seriously and what things are worth pushing aside. Dentists and parents alike have stated that pacifiers are bad for your child’s teeth, but is this just a wives’ tale or is it something that you should really take into consideration the next time you give your baby a pacifier in order to calm them down.

Jaw Alignment Problems
When you have a really young infant or baby and they love to suck on a pacifier, it’s nothing to worry about. However, as they get older and start to develop teeth, then you may want to worry a bit more. Prolonged sucking—whether it be a pacifier or a thumb—can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and the alignment of the teeth.

When to Stop the Sucking
According to the American Dental Association, most children stop sucking their thumbs or wanting a pacifier by the time that they are around two to four years old. However, if your four year old is still an avid pacifier sucker, then it may be time to take the problem into your own hands and stop it yourself with positive reinforcements.

Weigh the Pros and Cons
When you have a screaming baby or a fussing toddler, sometimes you will do just about anything you can in order to calm them down, and as a great way to give your child the comfort that they need, a pacifier isn’t the worst thing. If a pacifier is the only thing that your child will take to help them calm down, it’s worth the try.

To learn more about pediatric dental health or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Centennial dental, contact our office today!