While using a pacifier to soothe a baby is completely normal, a pediatric dentist generally should monitor this habit to maintain a child's oral health. Parents should consistently update the dentist on a child's pacifier use at every checkup. Understanding how pacifier use can affect dental health can help parents make the right decision about when to make changes.
Pacifiers can be helpful when it comes to soothing a tired or unhappy baby. Proper pacifier use can be beneficial in other ways, but there are downsides if a child uses it excessively or past a certain age.
Most infants rely on the act of sucking as their main source of comfort. Introducing pacifiers allows babies to learn how to self-soothe without the aid of a parent or bottle. This often means babies are less fussy and are able to fall asleep more easily and independently. Pacifiers are usually a better option than finger sucking because eventually the pacifier can be completely taken away to break the habit. Some studies suggest that pacifiers can even help reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
While pacifiers can make life easier for parents of newborns, using these items the wrong way can put a child at risk for dental and health problems. Without frequent sterilization, there is a chance that more bacteria and germs could transfer to the teeth and gums or travel inside the body. Prolonged pacifier use increases a child's chances of developing numerous dental issues, including:
Dipping a pacifier in sweet substances can also contribute to excess tooth decay.
Once children reach the age of one, sucking is no longer one of the sole means of self-soothing. At this point, pacifier use can gradually be replaced with other methods when a baby or young child needs comfort. A pediatric dentist is likely to recommend that parents try to start weaning the child from their pacifier at this age, although any time between the ages of two and four is generally considered acceptable when it comes to dental health.
Once permanent teeth start to come in, around the age of six, pacifier use can become a serious problem. In addition to the negative impact it can have on a child's social development, using a pacifier at this age can lead to a host of oral health problems. While it can be challenging to transition a child away from pacifier use, it is important to break the habit by age four at the latest to prevent complications that will likely result in extra dental work down the road.
Using pacifiers during infancy is considered safe for a baby's health and can even be beneficial. However, it is important to use pacifiers with care and following the advice of a pediatric dentist and to start weaning the baby from use at the right age to prevent dental problems. This can also help young children develop stronger self-soothing techniques, fostering a healthy sense of independence.
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