Your pediatric dentist can answer your questions about pacifier use and thumb-sucking. All newborns need to suck. It is an instinctive behavior for feeding. For some infants, sucking is calming and soothing. This adorable behavior can use thumbs or pacifiers. If you want to know more about pacifier use and thumb-sucking, here are some questions for your pediatric dentist.
Knowing the baby is important when shopping around for a pacifier. These accessories come in various sizes and shapes. Pacifiers also come with hard, medium, and soft nipples. For first-time parents, trial and error is often the way to find out what suits the baby most.
The shield of the pacifier should be one and a half inches in diameter or more. This will make sure that the pacifier will not get into the baby’s mouth. The pacifier’s shield should be firm with airholes. A pediatric dentist would recommend following the cleaning instructions for the pacifier. Parents should boil the pacifier first before the baby uses it.
There should also be extra pacifiers. These baby accessories tend to fall or disappear whenever babies need them most. A pediatric dentist would disagree about replacing the pacifier nipple with a regular bottle nipple. The baby might suck hard and dislodge the nipple. This would then be a choking hazard. Taking note of the pacifier’s expiration date also helps keep things fresh for the baby.
A pediatric dentist will recommend giving a pacifier during bedtime or nap time. Studies show that it reduces the baby’s risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Breastfeeding moms should wait for three to four weeks before offering a pacifier. This will be enough time for breastfeeding to become a routine.
The baby should only have a pacifier when the baby is not hungry. A pediatric dentist will not advise parents to replace a meal with a pacifier. Forcing the baby to take a pacifier is not good. Tying the pacifier to the crib, the baby’s hand or neck is dangerous.
Being aware of the child’s sucking habit helps parents know when to start discouraging it. This behavior becomes a problem between two and four years of age. Active sucking beyond the age of four may affect the normal development of the jaw and mouth. It may even cause dental misalignment. The child will need teeth-straightening treatment to prevent broken front teeth. Talking to a pediatric dentist can help determine if it is time for the baby to stop sucking.
In many cases, babies stop on their own. If the baby is having difficulty stopping the habit, reprimands and yelling will not help. Instead, praise the baby each time the sucking stops. Distracting the baby with fun activities or songs can also help.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Alexandria, VA
Sucking is an instinctive behavior in babies. After a time, your baby should stop the habit. Extended, active sucking behavior can lead to jaw, teeth, and gum development issues. An appointment with your pediatric dentist can help guide you about thumb-sucking and pacifier use.
Request an appointment or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at 703-763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
Regular pediatric dental checkups can help determine if your child needs a dental filling. Kids tend to eat more carbohydrate-rich foods. The starches and sugars tend to feed bacteria in the mouth, making them produce more acids. This results in weak enamel and cavity formation. A dental filling can restore your child’s teeth. If you…
A children's dentist can help set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Taking children to a dentist for preventative treatments that support their oral health is crucial. Checkups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants are among the most important tools a dentist uses to help keep your child's mouth healthy. Good oral care…
A common pediatric dental issues that parents and children face is thumb sucking. While it's normal for very young children, this practice can be problematic if it continues into the preschool years and beyond. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate the habit for better dental and overall health.Thumb sucking may seem harmless and even endearing…
Your family dentist can provide many good things to your dental health. Improving your dental health means enhancing your general health as well. Understanding how your dentist helps can make it easier to book your appointment. Here are some of the benefits of seeing a family dentist.Having a family dentist can make dental appointments easy…
Your entire household can have their teeth checked out at the same time if you visit a family dentist. These are dentists who are trained to provide services to patients of all ages. Getting routine dental checkups is an essential part of good oral hygiene. Most dental issues can be avoided by practicing good oral…