{"id":5642,"date":"2021-12-13T11:12:40","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T16:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=5642"},"modified":"2025-05-05T18:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T18:08:13","slug":"orthodontic-pacifiers-a-binky-on-a-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/orthodontic-pacifiers-a-binky-on-a-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthodontic Pacifiers: A Binky on a Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Parents face many decisions, even before their baby makes an appearance\u2014but once that bundle of joy arrives, one important choice is whether to use a pacifier. Babies have a natural reflex to suck their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects to help them feel more secure, to soothe them, or to lull them to sleep. If you decide your little bundle of joy needs a binky for a bit, Drs. Bargainier, and Zuffi<\/a> recommends an orthodontic pacifier.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is an Orthodontic Pacifier?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Orthodontic pacifiers are specifically designed to help alleviate misaligned teeth<\/a> and orthodontic issues as baby teeth come in. The nipple of an orthodontic pacifier supports the shape of the developing jaw and palate. When the baby sucks, the orthodontic pacifier mimics the shape of a mother\u2019s nipple, reducing pressure on gums and developing teeth and promoting a natural sucking motion. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some orthodontic pacifiers are even constructed to feel soft enough to avoid irritation of their delicate baby skin. Research indicates an ordinary round-shaped binky is more likely to result in open bite and overbite problems than an orthodontic one. However, the best way to prevent dental damage is limiting pacifier use altogether and banishing the binky after Baby turns one\u2014even if the pacifier is orthodontic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Binky vs. The Thumb<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is one better than the other? <\/span>The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry<\/span><\/a> thinks so. Why? Because the pacifier habit is easier to stop, whereas their thumb is always at easy access. The <\/span>American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a> recommends pacifier use when napping or sleeping during Baby\u2019s first year to help prevent the incidence of <\/span>Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)<\/span><\/a>, but binky use or thumb sucking past two to four years of age can negatively affect the shape of a child\u2019s mouth and the way their teeth and bite align. If kids can ditch the pacifier or give up the thumb before their permanent front teeth come in, the probability of the bite correcting itself is more likely. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Wean Kids from the Pacifier<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most kids stop pacifier use or thumb sucking on their own (peer pressure happens, even when you are only three\u2014the struggle is real). Some kids are just not as binky-centric as others. Kids may stop as early as one year old or as late as four years old, and they tend to give up pacifiers before thumb sucking. If you decide to wean gradually, consistency is key. Limit the use of pacifiers to naps and bedtime and keep every binky out of sight and out of reach. It usually doesn\u2019t take more than a week for children to adjust to a pacifier-free routine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the weaning approach isn\u2019t working and you decide the time has come for cold turkey, consistency is still the answer. If you go this route, your child cries for a long time and you give in anyway, you\u2019ve just reinforced that crying will get them what they want. Here are some ideas that may help end the battle of the binky:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n