The Orthodontic Pacifier Your Baby Should Avoid

I am not one for condoning pacifier use. The effects of pacifiers on oral and overall health have been well documented. But I am also not one for condemning it, being a mom who used a pacifier for one of her babies. There are benefits to pacifier use such as soothing effects that can have positive psychological effects. My child who did use a pacifier is a better self-soother than my child who did not. Whether that be a difference in temperament one can never know. It would be hypocritical of me to speak in absolutes. That's what so great about motherhood : it gives another perspective. All I know is this: there is one pacifier your baby should avoid, and most parents believe it's the best pacifier on the market.

Orthodontic pacifiers are resulting in maxillary collapse.

Orthodontic Pacifiers: The pacifier your baby should avoid

The pacifier you see in the photo above is an orthodontic pacifier. It was so labeled because it was supposed to be good for the development of the oral cavity. For many years, dentists have been warned about the effects of pacifiers on jaw development and teeth eruption. So the baby industry created a pacifier called the orthodontic pacifier. It has a wider mouthpiece and it's supposed to allow for the development of a wide palate, which will allow for better tooth eruption and an open airway. So why is this pacifier bad?

We are starting to see that instead of normal jaw development or teeth eruption, this particular pacifier has been resulting in maxillary collapse. Current theories suspect it has to do with training the tongue to be in a depressed position. Normally, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth which helps the upper palate to develop. The tongue is a strong muscle and therefore creates the pressure needed to expand the palate. Since the orthodontic pacifier hooks onto the palette, it stays in while the child is sleeping and trains the tongue to be pushed down. Many pediatric dentists have told me that they typically see open anterior bites with the use of this pacifier. Unfortunately, many parents are purchasing these pacifiers with the assumption that it helps the oral cavity. This is not the case and it is the one pacifier I say babies should avoid.

So what pacifier did we use? My daughter, in particular, had a WubbaNub pacifier with a lamb attached to it. We purchased this on a Europe trip, where this brand seems to be more prevalent. The Philips Avent equivalent appears to be most similar. I prefer this round shaped pacifier because it is harder to keep in the mouth. Meaning when she fell asleep, it sort of just fell out. I think because of this, it did not train her tongue to be in a certain position. Another great option is the Ninni pacifier which is in the shape of a breast. These pacifiers also fall out during sleep since it requires tongue activation. It also doesn't interfere with breast feeding or bottle feeding, making mealtimes an easier feat.

A side note on Pacifiers with Stuffies

Parents have mixed reviews on pacifiers with stuffies attached to them. Most are concerned with cleanliness and hygiene. For us, the stuffie made the transition away from the paci easier for our daughter. (She used a pacifier from 7 to 11 months old.) A month before we transitioned her away from her paci, we started trading it for a lovey after she fell asleep. She then was hugging both her lamb pacifier and her bunny lovey, and eventually, when I took her pacifier away, she simply accepted the lovey as an alternative.

As with all parenting advice, while it's important to stay informed, I think we all choose what's best for our families. One of my children used a pacifier and the other one didn't. It was what worked for our family at the time.

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