Most parents receive opinions and information on pacifiers for children, including from a kid-friendly dentist in Phoenix, AZ. Some people believe pacifiers help to relieve a child, while some think it does more harm than good. However, what does a kid-friendly dentist have to say about pacifiers? Continue reading to find out.
The use of pacifiers, for many years, has been effective for calming babies down. Suckling or sucking has a soothing effect on children, which explains the popularity of pacifiers. Also, in some cases, pacifiers can help reduce thumb sucking in children. Children often need a sort of stress reliever when adjusting to new conditions. Without a pacifier to soothe the child, they will most certainly turn to sucking their thumb or fingers for relief.
Furthermore, a study published by the Maternal and Child Health Journal suggested that a pacifier reduces the risk of certain health conditions. Babies who utilize pacifiers tend to be more conscious while sleeping as it prevents them from sleeping deeply, which prevents the risk of suffocation, a common concern of most parents.
An ear infection is one of the most common drawbacks of using pacifiers. Also, sucking has been found to increase the fluids in the ears. Kid-friendly dentists advise parents to limit the use of pacifiers to bed and nap times to reduce the risk of infection and overuse.
Like thumb sucking, attempting to stop the child’s dependence on pacifiers can be difficult. Due to the soothing effects, babies can become highly dependent on their pacifiers. Parents can expect plenty of tantrums and tears when it is finally time to take away the pacifier, however, long-term, it will be beneficial for the child.
According to the American Dental Association, crooked or misaligned teeth are more common among children with a pacifier-sucking habit. Pacifiers can cause a condition called a crossbite, which requires the attention of a kid-friendly dentist. Also, the harmful effects, which start from baby teeth, can cause the same problems with adult teeth. Although the issue is treatable, correcting the damages usually requires extensive orthodontic treatment or costly dental devices. Additionally, jaw malformation, resulting from too much pacifier use, can cause speech impediments or delays.
Despite the advantages and the disadvantages, one fact remains – pacifiers are effective. However, certain children may not experience all the advantages and disadvantages of pacifier use. This depends mostly on the child’s situation and other factors such as length of use and the type of pacifier. However, in the end, parents can ultimately decide what they want to do.
The kid-friendly dentist will recommend that parents hold off on providing pacifiers until breastfeeding starts, and they should try to stop the habit once the child turns two years. If there are more questions about a child’s oral health, book an appointment with the pediatric dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://camelbackpeds.wpengine.com or call Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (602) 595-3531 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
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