Pacifiers offer comfort and help to reduce stress in infants. Many parents wonder when it is appropriateto wean their child off the pacifier. If a pacifier is not taken away at a certain age it cancause seriousissues with a child’s teeth, mouth, and jaw. At Dentist X, we support our patients and parents and knowweaning a child from the pacifier is hard. As much as the pacifier is needed in the early stages of life, it isjust as important to takeit away,so your child does not develop any issues in the future.
What Issues Can a Pacifier Cause?
The pacifier helps to soothe a child,and the sucking reflex is natural when they are born. The ideal timefor a child to stop using a pacifier is betweenthe ages of two and four. If a child continues to use theirpacifier beyond this agerange,they may develop jaw or bite complications.
Children who have used a pacifier tend to develop an over bite,and may have issues with their teetherupting. Orthodontics may be needed to correct difficult issues caused by pacifier sucking. As yourchild gets older, breaking their habit becomes more difficult. Early intervention is important to preventmore serious issues as they grow older.
When I s the Best Time T o We an My Child Off t he Pacifier?
Each situation and childaredifferent,and we recommend you do what is best for your child. Themethod used can be instant or gradual,and we can help by recommending behavior modifications toassist in the process. Timing iskey,and parents should consider what the child has going on at themoment while weaning them off the pacifier. Finding new ways to comfort your child through theweaning process is important and giving incentivescan help. Positive reinforcement works best andalwaysavoid negative behavior during the process.
Interested in Finding Out More Information?
If you are interested in finding out more about pacifier weaning, or to schedule an appointment for yourchild, contact us today, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.