When Should I Take My Child’s Pacifier Away?
Posted on January 5th, 2021
Experts on parenting and health have long had conflicting views on the use of pacifiers as a means of comforting babies. While some children never show an interest in using a pacifier, others become very attached. From a pediatric dentistry perspective, long-term use of pacifiers is a problem, as they can negatively affect the development of your child’s mouth.
While the long-term use of pacifiers threatens your child’s oral development, in the short-term there are certain benefits that may outweigh the hassle of eventually taking your child’s binkie away. Not only can pacifiers help calm and soothe babies at night, they may also help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (source: mayoclinic.org).
Pacifiers vs. Thumb-Sucking
In the short-term, pacifier use is unlikely to cause significant issues that would outweigh the benefits of soothing your child. In fact, it may be better to let your child use a pacifier than to allow them to suck their thumb. When it’s time to break these habits, thumb-sucking can be much more of a challenge to overcome—unlike thumbs, pacifiers can be taken away!
When To Phase Out Pacifier Use
So, when is the right time to phase out pacifier use? Many parents approach members of our dental team with this question. The answer depends on the rate of your child’s dental development. In general, we recommend beginning to phase out pacifier use by the time your child reaches their second birthday.
Dentistry for Children Near Tinley Park
As children’s dental care professionals, our priority is to make sure each patient’s smile develops properly. If you are looking for high-quality dentistry for children near Tinley Park, we’re currently accepting new patients! Reach out to us today to book an appointment.
