Pacifier Info

For babies to suck is very natural. It is how they nourish and soothe themselves. When a baby is not eating, the pacifier is better to use for soothing than a finger/thumb or a toy.

Pacifiers are less likely to cause a malocclusion and are usually discontinued at an earlier age than is thumbsucking. It is easier to take away a pacifier than a finger or thumb. Thumbsuckers typically continue the habit until 3-5 years of age.

Thoughts on Pacifiers

If you notice your child beginning to suck their fingers or thumbs during the first 3 months of life you can introduce your child to a pacifier
To avoid any trauma to the gums, it's important to buy a pacifier with a nipple made of rubber
Do not use the pacifier around the clock, only when necessary
In rare instances, pacifiers may cause complications like abnormal swallowing patterns
Check the pacifier daily for breakage. They do not last forever. The child could suck a "ripped" pacifier and choke on it
Do not hang the pacifier around your baby's neck with a string. Your baby could be accidentally strangled

Choosing a Pacifier

Do avoid improper breathing and abnormal molding of the baby's jaws, choose a pacifier that resembles the natural nipple and breast

Pacifier use can cause abnormal development of the jaws and teeth. Some reasons are:

Improperly sized and shaped pacifier
Strength of sucking action
Length of time the pacifier is present within the mouth

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558 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, California 90807 | Phone: 562.427.1221

Dr. Tashiro is a general and cosmetic dentist and he welcomes new patients from all over the Long Beach area including Fountain Valley, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Lakewood. He provides a full range of general and cosmetic dental services for the whole family such as porcelain veneers, Lumineers ®, Invisalign ® clear braces, chair side teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain fillings and bridges, porcelain crowns, tooth-colored fillings, digital x-rays, and dental implants, plus teeth cleaning and regular dental check-ups to help find and prevent gum disease and the causes of tooth pain, as well as oral cancer exams.