Are pacifiers bad for my child?
Sucking is a natural reflex. Infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects to suck on. Sucking on a pacifier or another habit may make your child feel more secure and happy or provide him/her with a sense of security at difficult periods. Pacifiers are a common tool used to keep your baby happy during the early days.
However, just like with prolonged finger habits, using a pacifier for too long can cause unwanted changes to your child's mouth. Damage to your child's dentition can include open bites (pictured here), crossbites, tongue thrust, or a narrowed jaw. We highly recommend stopping pacifier use at age 1. Significantly more complicated orthodontic treatment may be required in the future if caught too late. Talk to you pediatrician or pediatric dentist about stopping a pacifier habit for your child.