Pacifier use in babies: Things to consider

There are many types of pacifiers on the market with different features, made from different materials, and highlighted for their respective advantages and disadvantages.

It is necessary to be aware of important points to ensure that pacifier use does not lead to problems such as nipple confusion, tooth decay, misalignment of teeth, jaw deformities, and thumb-sucking habits.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING A PACIFIER

• Pacifier use should not be started until the baby is accustomed to breastfeeding.
• A pacifier should never be put into someone else's mouth, including the mother, father, or caregivers.
• A pacifier should not be dipped in honey or molasses and given to the baby to help them get used to it, to make it easier for them to fall asleep, or under the assumption that it might be beneficial for their health. A baby falling asleep with a sugary substance in their mouth is one of the primary causes of severe decay known as 'early childhood caries'.
• Giving babies fruit in reservoir-type pacifiers to increase their fruit consumption and make it easier for them to get vitamins can increase the risk of early tooth loss in babies with a high risk of decay. In babies who turn fruit consumption into a pleasure with a pacifier, the sugar found in fruits remains in the mouth environment, which contains decay-causing bacteria, for a longer time compared to spoon-feeding, increasing the risk of decay.
• When choosing a pacifier, pacifiers that are definitely Bisphenol-A (BPA) free should be preferred. In particular, the use of BPA in products manufactured for babies has been banned in many countries due to its harmful effects on reproductive health.
• Orthodontic pacifiers, produced to be compatible with the oral structure, are pacifiers that mimic the mother's nipple and are marketed with the claim that they will have less impact on jaw development and tooth alignment. They can be considered as a new alternative for parents, but it is not accurate to say that they can prevent the deformities that classic pacifiers cause in the oral structure. These pacifiers should only be preferred within the recommended usage periods.
• The accumulation of bacteria and microorganisms on the surfaces of pacifiers that fall out of the mouth and are then put back in, or that are not cleaned correctly and frequently, can cause local infections such as oral thrush and serious diseases in the gastrointestinal system. While sterilizers specifically produced for cleaning pacifiers can be used, boiling them for 5 minutes every two days will also be sufficient.
• Latex pacifiers should not be preferred both because of the risk of latex allergy and because their bacterial retention is higher compared to pacifiers made from other materials.
• Pacifier use exceeding the 12-month period may increase the risk of acute otitis media (middle ear infection).
• Pacifier use should be ended when the baby's primary canines begin to emerge, which is around the 18-month period. Long-term pacifier use can cause serious deformities in jaw development and tooth alignment.