Today’s topic explores the use of pacifiers and thumbsucking in babies and toddlers, and their impact on a child’s oral health. It may be hard to tell whether your baby is crying from hunger, teething or something else. To sooth the baby, you hold and rock them, sing to them and perhaps let them suck on their thumb. You may also worry whether the thumb sucking will cause your baby’s teeth to grow in crooked?
According to The American Dental Association, thumsucking is a natural reflex that instinctively soothes anxiety, and there’s really no need to worry about thumsucking during infancy. However, the consensus is if the habit continues after the child’s permanent teeth arrive, around age 6, there may problems with proper growth of the mouth or teeth alignment. So, you may also wonder—are pacifiers a better option?
Studies show they do soothe, distract and help babies fall asleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends the use of pacifiers when falling asleep, for infants over 1 month, to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Risks of Pacifier Overuse
Prolonged use of a pacifier does come with certain risks.
- Very early use can interfere with your baby's interest in breastfeeding
- There may be greater risk of middle ear infections when used after 6 months of age
- Prolonged use can lead to dental problems like open bite, cross bite or overbite when used beyond 2 or 3 years old
Much depends on how long and how often the baby uses the pacifier. Adverse dental effects can occur after 2 years of pacifier use, and more likely after age 4. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommend moms learn about proper pacifier use to avoid difficulties with nursing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weaning your baby from pacifier use between 6-12 months of age to prevent ear infections.
Even though a pacifier or thumb may help a fussy baby in the short term, the key is to use caution and then introduce substitutions when the time is right. It is best to use pacifier in 1st 6 months of life and not really discouraged until it presents a risk.
Tips For Using a Pacifier
- Wait until after establishing a good breastfeeding routine to introduce the pacifier
- Don’t use it as the 1st line of defense
- Don’t offer if it’s not needed—try rocking or soothing the baby first
- Only offer a pacifier as a last resort and only after or between feedings
- Choose a silicon, one piece, dishwasher safe pacifier
- Keep it clean - boil it or wash it in the dishwasher until baby is 6 months
- After 6 months - wash with soap and water
- NEVER rinse the pacifier in your mouth
- Don’t dip it in sweet substances
- Replace it often, watch for holes or other signs of deterioration
How and When to Take Away a Pacifier
Whichever option you choose, remember to monitor the child and plan to wean them from the pacifier or thumb between 6 and 12 months.
These are a few useful age appropriate weaning tips when the time is right:
- Sing or play soft music to the child
- Introduce toys or favorite blankets as distraction
- For older children,plan a ceremony to throw away the pacifier and then reward then with a book or small prize when successful.
Breaking the pacifier or thumb sucking habit is not easy, but following these steps can keep your child on the road to good oral health, and that’s something to smile about!
For further information, visit us at www.deltadentalnj.com
- Facebook.com/deltadentalnj
- Twitter: @deltadentalNJ
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/deltadentalnj
