My mother just introduced my 2-year old son to using a pacifier - he has never been interested before, but we just weaned him off the bottle, and she is looking for a replacement to calm him down. Isn't this going to make his teeth crooked? I had an extreme overbite when I was younger, and although I am not positive why I had it, I did use a pacifier. What do you think? I do not want my son to have to get braces in the future, if this is something I can prevent. Thanks.
2007-07-31 15:20:30 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
I know that as a Mom having something to calm your child is a good, however, as a hygienist I wouldn't recommend a pacifier at this age. Essentially you are replacing one habit with another that can really be hard to take away after, and since he hasn't wanted it before. Especially as they are old enough to argue with you about it or refuse to sleep or have a tantrum so bad that they manipulate you into giving it to them again. More of an issue is that you can end up with tooth alignment problems as a result. It may not happen until later, but some children don't give up the pacifier and if they do might go to sucking a thumb to pacify themselves. This eventually can lead to braces, but before that you are looking at the issue of speech development and eating skills that might be affected.
So, I know it could be ugly for a few days, but if he knows that he isn't getting the bottle or the pacifier he will get over it. I got my son a light up fish lamp that looks like they are swimming to help him sleep and made sure I praised him for being my "big boy", and he loves praise. Extra story time or snuggle time might help too....
Hope that helps, Good luck
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist (and Mom to a 3 1/2 yr old)
2007-07-31 15:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by jamrdh70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes. Take it away now before he gets used to it. She is just replacing one vice for another. It does make the teeth crooked because of the constant sucking pressure on the gums.
2007-07-31 15:47:41 · answer #2 · answered by jossa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why would she do that? he's way to old to just be introduced to a pacifier. sounds like she's trying to just get him to be quite. take it away and yes, in time, it can affect his teeth.
2007-07-31 15:24:29 · answer #3 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can affect the teeth, also the same with thumb sucking
2007-07-31 15:28:45 · answer #4 · answered by sPUNKy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!
2007-07-31 15:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yus yus it can
2007-07-31 15:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by csoucia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋