During a child’s early development, it is only natural for them to need to suck on a pacifier. It provides them with much needed comfort, especially while new teeth are coming in. Parents tend to become worried about the use of pacifier and what impact it will have on the long term oral health of the child, and rightfully so.
Pacifier safety is very important, because prolonged usage can lead to serious complications as the teeth begin to come in. Children will typically stop using a pacifier on their own. This tends to take place between the ages of two and four. A parent should not allow their child to continue using a pacifier past the age of 4.
Children are resourceful and are known to hide their old pacifiers from their parents, so be sure to thoroughly investigate all of your couch cushions and any other nooks and crannies the children may be able to find and use as a pacifier stash spot. When pacifiers are still used past the appropriate age, oral health can be compromised.
For example, the top and front teeth of the child will not come in properly if they continue to suck on a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier causes the teeth in the top and front of the mouth to take on a more slanted appearance, which can cost thousands of dollars for a parent to fix at the dentist. Even the bottom teeth are affected by this habit. Pacifier usage past a certain age causes the bottom teeth to be tilted in a direction that is not aesthetically pleasing. There is also a major risk that the roof of the child’s mouth could become significantly more narrow if they do not stop sucking before it is too late.
There are also larger problems that can arise that are much more difficult to fix. The child may experience jaw misalignment, which is incredibly painful. Continuous sucking of a pacifier can cause the bottom and top of the jaw to need realignment. To avoid any jaw alignment, it is best to give your child a pacifier that is made from natural rubber, allowing it to lay flat against the roof of the mouth. Parents may also think that it is a good idea to coat the pacifier with something sweet, to reduce the child’s pain during teething. This is not recommended, as you increase the child’s risk of developing cavities.
It is pivotal that you lay the groundwork for a healthy mouth from an early age.
