Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County I & II
Commack (631) 486-6364
Medford (631) 320-0880
For parents with fussy babies, pacifiers can seem like a
godsend. Young children often have strong sucking needs, and a binky provides
quick relief. However, frequent and prolonged pacifier use can cause problems,
especially if the habit continues after your child’s baby teeth have started
falling out.
According to Colgate,
long-term sucking can cause the following issues:
- Slanted top front teeth
- Tilted bottom front teeth
- Jaw misalignment
- Narrowing of the roof of the mouth
And unfortunately that’s not all. Chronic pacifier use can
also cause an anterior open bite, which is an obvious gap between the top front
teeth and the bottom front teeth when the jaw is closed. Furthermore, kids who
use a pacifier past the age of five might experience a delay in their front
baby teeth falling out.
So how do wean your toddler off the binky? WebMD
suggests the following tips:
- Prepare your child in advance; don’t make the pacifier
disappear out of nowhere
- Set limits for when and where the pacifier may be used
- Cut a small piece off pacifier’s nipple and show your
toddler that it’s now too dangerous to use (Note: Do NOT give a binky back to
your child once it’s been cut, as it poses a choking risk)
Has your child recently given up his or her pacifier? If so,
share your tricks on our Facebook page.
Looking for a pediatric dentist for your children? Look no
further! Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County provides exceptional dental care
and ensures a beautiful smile for life! For more information give us a call at
our Medford location at 631-320-0880 or our Commack location at 631-486-6364.
Alternatively, visit us online at www.supermolar.com.
Labels: Best Pediatric Dental Practice on Long Island, Long Island Pediatric Dentist, Orthodontist Commack, Orthodontist Medford, Pacifiers