Pediatric
Pacifier habit
A pacifier habit is the regular use of a pacifier to soothe a child, and it can affect tooth position if it continues for years.
Pacifiers soothe babies, and many children use one for a time. The ADA says pacifiers can affect the teeth in essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs, but the habit is often easier to break. The risk depends on how long and how hard the child sucks. Ongoing use can lead to an open bite or a narrow upper jaw. Most problems from baby-tooth years improve if the habit stops before adult teeth come in. Offer the pacifier less often as your child grows. Ask your dentist for tips at checkups. See thumb sucking, open bite, and our page on dentistry for kids.