Pacifiers are a common item found in every diaper bag. Sucking is a normal instinct for infants and use of a pacifier provides a sense of security and a method of self-relaxation.According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, most children will discontinue use of a pacifier on their own between 2 and 4 years of age.Prolonged use of a pacifier can have dental repercussions and should be addressed as early as possible Do pacifiers cause dental problems?
Some aggressive thumb suckers may cause problems with their primary (baby)teeth. Pacifiers can affect the teeth in essentially the same way as does sucking on fingers and thumbs. However, pacifier use often is an easier habit to break.
Do pacifiers make your teeth crooked?
In fact, overusing pacifiers affects mouth and teeth development in the same way as long-term thumb-sucking, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).As the child's upper front teeth tip forward, teeth may become crooked and he or she can experience bite problems.
Can babies fall asleep with a pacifier?
Pacifier use during naps or nighttime can prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Doctors aren't sure how it works, but if you give your baby a pacifier while she's asleep, you might lower her risk of SIDS by more than half. Satisfy the suck reflex.Babies have a natural need to suck.During a child's first few years, sucking habits probably won't damage his or her mouth. But frequent and long-term sucking can cause problems. This is especially true if the habit continues after baby teeth start to fall out.Sucking on a pacifier might help. A pacifier might help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). ... If you're breast-feeding, wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you've settled into an effective nursing routine. Pacifiers are disposable.
Here are some other basics about pacifier use:
Some sources state pacifier use should be delayed in infants whose mothers plan to breastfeed, so that breastfeeding can be firmly established. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pacifier use no earlier than 3 weeks of age for that purpose. However, some studies have shown that delaying pacifiers may make mothers more inclined to stop breastfeeding all together. More research is being done in this area.
As great as pacifiers can be, parents must also clean and inspect them regularly. If the color changes or you notice cracks in it, then it is time to change it. It is highly discouraged to suck on your infant’s pacifier as a way to “clean” it. This transmits bacteria or viruses that may harm your child. Also, if your baby develops thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth), and it appears to be resistant to treatment, consider the pacifier as a place that may be harboring the yeast in addition to bottle nipples.
If you do use a pacifier, do not tie a ribbon or string to the infant’s neck or hand, as this poses a strangulation risk%
RISKS AND DANGERS OF CONTINUAL PACIFIER USE:
SIDS: There have been studies with strong evidence showing that pacifier use in infants decreases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is unclear why pacifiers have this protective effect, but some theories suggest the possibility that babies are more easily awakened while sucking on a pacifier.
Pain: It is also believed that pacifier sucking (a form of sucking that does not provide nutrition) can be beneficial in pain reduction especially when combined with other soothing measures such as rocking or swaddling.
Ear infections: There have been some studies – but with limited data – about the association between ear infections and pacifiers, stating some evidence that it does increase the risk. This association is weak, and until further studies are performed, it is not a reason not to use a pacifier.
Dental problems: In general,oral health advocates report that infants who are weaned off pacifiers and formula bottles sooner tend to have fewer “bite” problems or Misalignment of Teeth (displaced teeth, overbites, cross bites, and open bites), Increased risk of tooth decay than children who use them for longer periods of time.I generally recommend weaning from both around 1 to 2 years of age, but the official American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s policy on oral habits recommends stopping by the age of 3 years.
Oral Infections: Pacifiers are a lot like toothbrushes. The constant oral contact makes it easy for germs to grow. If it’s not cleaned properly, a mouth infection is likely.The main pathogens on pacifiers are Staphylococcus bacteria and Candida fungus. However, contamination is more common on latex pacifiers. Use silicone ones to prevent the risk of oral infections.Regularly cleaning the pacifier will also reduce the risk of this side effect.
Chocking risk: Possible baby pacifier side effects include strangulation. This is why you should never tie the pacifier around a baby’s neck or hand. To play it safe, use a pacifier with a clip or nothing at all.
Sleep disruption: When infants grow used to having the pacifier in their mouth while sleeping, they can’t sleep without it.
Mouth sores: Aggressive sucking may cause sores or ulcers to develop.
Early pacifier use might interfere with breast-feeding. Sucking on a breast is different from sucking on a pacifier or bottle, and some babies are sensitive to those differences. Research suggests that early use of artificial nipples is associated with decreased exclusive breast-feeding and duration of breast-feeding — although it's not clear if artificial nipples cause breast-feeding problems or serve as a solution to an existing problem.
Your baby might become dependent on the pacifier: If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you might face frequent middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.
Bacterial and fungal growth : pacifiers can often grow a slimy coating of bacteria -- called a biofilm -- that actually alters the normal bacteria in a baby or toddler's mouth. That biofilm can spur inflammation and potentially increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal problems such as colic or even ear infections.In fact, the same types of bacteria found on a common pacifier have been linked to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome,allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases, said study author Dr. Tom Glass, a professor of forensic sciences, pathology and dental medicine at Oklahoma State University.He also recommends throwing out pacifiers after two weeks of use because wear increases the bacteria-trapping porousness of the plastic.
If pacifiers are part of your plan, follow some guidelines to keep your baby safe:
- Use a brand that is free of bisphenol-A (BPA). Studies have raised concerns about its effects on infants.
- Don't secure a pacifier to your baby with a cord -- it’s a strangling hazard.
- Get the right size. Match it to your baby’s age to make sure it fits her mouth.
- Don't let kids share a pacifier. You don’t want them to share germs. Also, wash pacifiers in soap and hot water to keep them clean between uses.
- Pick a pacifier with ventilation holes in the shield to let air in.
- Give the pacifier as is. If you sweeten it, it can damage your baby’s teeth
- Always wash a new pacifier prior to use.
- Any time a pacifier pops out of a baby’s mouth, it should be cleaned, no matter where it lands.
- Wash pacifiers with mild soap and water, then air dry. Make sure to remove all excess water from the nipple, where it can collect and cause bacterial growth.
- Also replace your baby’s pacifiers after an illness, to avoid re-infection.
- Check frequently for cracks, discoloration, or tears in pacifiers’ rubber. If damaged, discard or replace.
- NEVER tie the pacifier around your infant’s neck.
Precautions : Colgate lists several precautions that parents should take when using a pacifier with their child. One of the most important aspects of purchasing a pacifier includes ensuring that the item is constructed as one piece. If there are small parts included in the pacifier design these could detach and lead to choking. The website also recommends looking for "orthodontically correct" pacifiers because these may decrease the risk of dental issues. Lastly, Colgate warns against dipping the pacifier in honey or sugar water to calm a fussy baby. Although these methods are commonly used by parents and do tend to have a calming effect, the practice can lead to tooth decay and should be avoided.
Breaking the pacifier habit is not always easy, and there are several methods parents can use to stop it. Parents can dip the pacifier in white vinegar, making it distasteful; pierce the nipple of the pacifier with an ice pick or cut it shorter to reduce sucking satisfaction; leave it behind on a trip; or implement the "cold turkey" method.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that most children will discontinue pacifier use between the ages of 2 and 4 without any outside assistance. However, intervention may become necessary if this does not occur. The first strategy that parents and caregivers use to accomplish this, and often the most effective, includes simply explaining to the child the need for letting go of the pacifier to make sure their teeth remain healthy. Children may respond better to this information if delivered by a dentist rather than a parent. Gradually decreasing pacifier use proves another effective strategy. Just like any habit easing away from it proves easier than quitting cold turkey. Rewards and positive reinforcement can also help with the process. If simple intervention strategies do not break the habit, a more intensive strategy in the form of an oral device that prevents use of a pacifier or thumb sucking can be discussed with the child's dentist.
REFERENCES-
1 Comina, Elodie, Karine Marion, François NR Renaud, Jeanne Dore, Emmanuelle Bergeron, and Jean Freney. “Pacifiers: a microbial reservoir.” Nursing & health sciences 8, no. 4 (2006): 216-223.
2.Buccini, Gabriela dos Santos, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, and Sonia Isoyama Venancio. “Pacifier use and exclusive breastfeeding in Brazil.” Journal of Human Lactation 32, no. 3 (2016): NP52-NP60.
3, 4.Victora, Cesar Gomes, Dominique Pareja Behague, Fernando Celso Barros, Maria Teresa Anselmo Olinto, and Elizabeth Weiderpass. “Pacifier use and short breastfeeding duration: cause, consequence, or coincidence?.” Pediatrics 99, no. 3 (1997): 445-453.
5.Pacifier use: Benefits and Side Effects. LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.
6.http://www.livestrong.com/article/65981-effects-using-baby-pacifier/.
7.Castilho, Silvia Diez, and Marco Antônio Mendes Rocha. “Pacifier habit: history and multidisciplinary view.” Jornal de pediatria 85, no. 6 (2009): 480-489.
8.Hesselmar, Bill, Fei Sjöberg, Robert Saalman, Nils Åberg, Ingegerd Adlerberth, and Agnes E. Wold. “Pacifier cleaning practices and risk of allergy development.” Pediatrics 131, no. 6 (2013): e1829-e1837.