{"id":263,"date":"2024-04-18T07:09:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T07:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tictactooth.com\/blog\/?p=263"},"modified":"2024-07-26T19:09:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T19:09:37","slug":"do-pacifiers-harm-baby-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tictactooth.com\/blog\/2024\/04\/18\/do-pacifiers-harm-baby-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"To Soothe or Smile: Do Pacifiers Harm Baby Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you’re a pretty new parent, you likely let your child use a pacifier sometimes. That’s fine \u2013 the small item can do a great job soothing your cranky baby! Still, you should be careful of how long your little one relies on this sucker. A pacifier could cause problems for their oral health<\/a> if it’s used too much. Your pediatric dentist will even explain the details. So, here’s how pacifiers harm baby teeth and ways to use them responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Pacifiers Harm Baby Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While pacifiers often keep babies calm, they can have downsides. Letting your child use them too much may cause dental issues, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bite Misalignment\/Pacifier Teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Letting babies use pacifiers past the toddler stage is not a good idea. By that point, their bites will have become misaligned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue is that a pacifier can affect mouth growth and tooth position. When used often enough, the object will force a child\u2019s teeth to move and even change their palate\u2019s shape. Your little one could then have front teeth that don\u2019t meet in a closed mouth (i.e., \u201cpacifier teeth\u201d). They could also develop a crooked smile, front teeth that tip forward, or worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gingival Recession & Cavities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The issues with pacifiers don\u2019t end with \u201cpacifier teeth,\u201d either. These devices can cause gum loss and cavities in extreme cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you dip pacifiers in sweet stuff, the risk of gum loss and tooth decay only increases. Make sure you keep the sucker away from sugar to avoid plaque buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips on Responsible Pacifier Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pacifiers carry oral risks, but they shouldn\u2019t cause problems when used responsibly. Just remember these tips and tricks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n