The effect of a pacifier on a child’s teeth
For a newborn baby, sucking on the mother’s breast is a natural process that is necessary for the development of the child. In this way, the baby gets the nutrition it needs through sucking. If you pay attention, the baby can suck the breast even while sleeping. The pacifier allows you to eliminate the need to suck the breast after a while and soothe the baby through the pacifier.
Breaking the habit of sucking children’s pacifiers is one of the most difficult tasks that parents have to spend a lot of energy to eliminate this habit, and for this reason, there are many doubts regarding the use or non-use of pacifiers for parents. We will talk about the benefits or dangers of pacifiers for babies and the impact of pacifiers on the baby’s teeth and their development in this article.
Benefits of the nipple for the baby
Until the first six months, the baby’s teeth are still in the gum tissue, and sucking the mother’s breast does not affect the teeth. In addition, one of the great advantages of the mother’s breast is that the baby calms down in any situation, for example, if the baby is anxious, it calms down by sucking on the breast or a pacifier and they fall asleep. Of course, whenever the baby starts crying, you cannot give him a pacifier, first, you should try to understand the reasons for his crying.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a pacifier
The natural anatomical nipple fills the baby’s mouth, the baby brings his lower jaw forward by taking the pacifier in his mouth. On the other hand, the pacifier can damage the growth and development of the child’s mouth and teeth. Long-term use of a pacifier can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth, prevent proper growth of teeth, and also cause problems in tooth alignment.
Does a pacifier affect permanent teeth?
However, many experts say that once a baby is weaned, it will have a direct impact on the longevity and health of their teeth. However, some children experience dental problems due to continuous use of pacifiers for a long time
Benefits of using a pacifier
Soothing in babies
A pacifier is an ideal option for babies as a kind of pain reliever, for anxiety, tension, etc. This can be especially helpful when you are tired and need a short break from holding your child. Oftentimes, a pacifier can help calm the baby, so you can do other things during this time, such as preparing food or even just sitting and relaxing.
An aid for weaning a baby
If you are about to wean your baby, a pacifier can act as a good substitute for the mother’s breast, which may make the weaning process easier for both babies and parents.
Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome
Sucking a pacifier baby saves them from one of the biggest dangers of babies called sudden death syndrome. This syndrome is caused by the deep sleep of babies and stopping their breathing; When a child uses a pacifier, it stimulates the babies’ nerves and makes them sleep easier, which prevents them from stopping breathing.
Despite all these advantages, the use of pacifiers has potential drawbacks, in most cases, the cause of these oral and dental problems is because the child uses the pacifier for a long time.
Disadvantages of using a pacifier
Although the pacifier has great benefits for the child and even the parents, it also has potential problems and disadvantages. It is better that the child finally uses a pacifier until the age of two years and then puts it aside, in this case, the order of the teeth will be maintained and the teeth will grow with a correct arrangement.
However, if the child uses a pacifier for a long period of three to four years, this will cause problems in the growth of teeth or their regularity. Another possible problem and danger of using a pacifier for a long time is the excessive opening of the auditory canals, in such a way that the secretions of the throat penetrate the middle ear and after the bacteria of the throat are transferred to the ear areas, the child causes ear infections. As a result, it is better to only use a pacifier until the child is two years old, and after that calm him down with other methods.
Frequently asked questions about the effect of pacifiers on children’s teeth
Why do children like to use pacifiers?
Using a pacifier or thumb sucking makes the child feel safe in difficult and worrying situations such as medical offices, etc. Among these conditions are taking the mother’s breast from the child or separating the parents from the child for a while and being among strangers and unknown people.
What are the safety tips for keeping a pacifier?
The medical center of the world’s top universities recommends that if parents intend to use a pacifier for their child, they should use one-piece pacifiers, without internal liquid and small or moving parts. The pacifier should be washed regularly (two to three times a day). It is also better to avoid dipping it into sweet liquids like honey because this increases the rate of decay of the child’s teeth.
What are the dental problems caused by pacifier sucking?
Long-term pacifier or thumb sucking causes problems due to improper growth of teeth. Usually, using a pacifier for a long time causes the teeth of the upper jaw to protrude, in such a way that the teeth are not properly placed on each other and a large space is created between the two rows of upper and lower teeth.
