Does the pacifier affect the bite? Can a pacifier ruin a child's bite?

Many young parents do not even suspect that the wrong pacifier and even the innocent habit of a baby sucking a finger can lead to improper bite formation. Let's look at the main causes of malocclusion at an early age, as well as measures to help prevent such a defect. One such device is a pacifier for correcting malocclusion. Particular attention must be paid to compliance with hygiene rules and the use of specialized products.

What does a pacifier replace?

Already in the sixth month of intrauterine development, the fetus develops a sucking reflex. This fact is often observed by doctors and parents during ultrasound diagnostics: the child holds his finger in his mouth. The development of this skill will directly determine the baby’s survival after childbirth: how he can suck breast milk, how quickly he can adjust the mother’s lactation and, accordingly, will receive the nutrients vital for his existence.

However, this all concerns instincts provided by nature; in life, everything usually happens differently. For example, a mother deliberately or under pressure from circumstances refuses breastfeeding, switching to formula, or sharply reduces the frequency of breastfeeding. Everyone knows that there is no need to suck artificial nutrition out of the bottle, it pours out on its own. But the child’s powerful sucking reflex remains, he worries and cries, and this is where the pacifier comes to the parents’ aid.

In fact, it replaces the mother’s breast for the baby, and then for the older child, and not vice versa, as is commonly believed in our post-Soviet space. It is this imaginary convenience that often makes parents turn a blind eye to the problem of malocclusion from the pacifier. Therefore, if the mother provides the baby with breastfeeding on demand, and not according to a schedule, the pacifier simply will not be needed - his sucking reflex will be fully satisfied.

However, if for some reason difficulties arise with breastfeeding, a pacifier can also bring benefits:

Breast replacement for formula-fed babies.
Development of the sucking reflex in premature infants.
Reducing anxiety and excitability in a child.
Help with rocking a baby.

It is worth considering that among pediatricians and lactation consultants there is still no consensus on the use of a pacifier and its effect on the baby’s bite.

Measures to prevent malocclusion

Correcting malocclusion is much more difficult than preventing it. Parents need to know the following measures to prevent malocclusion:

The expectant mother should protect herself from even the slightest cold.
In the fifth month of pregnancy, the child begins the process of developing teeth, so calcium and fluoride must be present in the mother’s diet.
Scrupulously follow your pediatrician's instructions regarding infant feeding, especially if breastfeeding is impossible.
Make sure your child breathes through his nose. Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor to exclude the possibility of diseases of the respiratory system.
In the early stages, the child should be weaned from thumb sucking and prolonged use of a pacifier.
Approach with full responsibility the choice of an orthodontic pacifier and pacifier.

At what age does a child develop a bite?

Parents rarely think about when a child’s bite begins to form, yet this process occurs from birth and consists of several stages:

From birth to six months. At this time, the jaws are preparing for the appearance of the first teeth and the correct placement of them during this period is very important.
From six months to three years - the appearance of a temporary bite.
From three to six years - preparation of the jaw for the appearance of permanent teeth, the temporary bite is fully formed.
From six to twelve years, the baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, and during this period a mixed bite is formed.
From twelve to fifteen years, a permanent bite is formed.

As you can see, it is very important to monitor the formation of a correct bite in a child from birth, and not from the appearance of permanent teeth, as many parents believe. Already at the stage of eruption of the first milk teeth, it is necessary to ensure that there is no constant pressure on the jaw, be it a finger in the mouth, a toy or a pacifier. After all, it is for this reason that a child develops an incorrect bite, including the pacifier.

What malocclusion pathologies may appear as a result of pacifier pressure on the jaw:

Deep (the lower jaw extends far beyond the upper).
Open (teeth from both jaws do not close together, forming a gap).
Mesial (the lower jaw protrudes noticeably forward).
Distal bite (with the jaws closed, the upper jaw moves forward in relation to the lower jaw).
Crossed (weak development of one of the sides of the upper or lower jaw is observed).

In any case, the sooner the bite is determined, the easier it will be to correct the pathology in the future. If there are obvious problems already at primary school age, it is necessary to use special structures to correct the bite, such as plates, trainers, and at an older age - a brace system.

The optimal period for correcting the bite is adolescence, when the replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones has already occurred.

Causes of malocclusion in the first years of a child’s life

In addition to an incorrectly selected pacifier for a child, the main factors in the formation of malocclusion at an early age include:

Genetic tendency in parents to malocclusion. The more relatives a child has with malocclusions, the more likely it is that he or she will develop pathology.
Even in the womb, a baby can develop a defective bite: when the mother takes illegal medications, after suffering viral diseases (for example, chickenpox or rubella).
Late appearance of baby teeth.
The presence of such minor habits as sucking the lower lip or fingers, sticking out the tongue between the teeth. Even systematically gnawing on toys can lead to jaw deformation.
After birth, malocclusion can be caused by incorrect feeding habits, especially with artificial formulas.
Chronic diseases of the nose and larynx, as a result of which it is difficult for the baby to breathe through the nose.
Problems with posture, as well as rickets at an early age, can cause malocclusion.

General harm from pacifiers

When parents think about whether the pacifier spoils the child’s bite, it turns out that there are some other negative aspects that this item can bring. Sucking on a pacifier for a long time can cause:

Refusal to suck milk from the breast;
Incorrect latching of the nipple during sucking, which can lead to breastfeeding pain for the mother.
Speech delay, incorrect pronunciation of sounds and words.
Allergic reaction.
Delayed mental development of the child.
Oral diseases.
Mechanical damage in the mouth and chin area.

However, most pediatricians are of the opinion that using a pacifier for up to six months should not cause serious harm to the baby. After 6 months, the use of a pacifier is undesirable, and after a year it is necessary to reduce this habit in the child.

Necessity or habit

From the moment of birth, the baby develops a sucking reflex, which remains very strong for up to six months. But it is of decisive importance for survival and the possibility of nutrition, therefore it is more developed than all the others. Starting from six months, it gradually begins to fade away, so the desire to constantly make sucking movements becomes a habit. Any attempts to get rid of it cause violent resistance in the form of crying. After a year, the reflex completely disappears, but the attachment to the pacifier remains, turning into psychological dependence. At the age of 2-4 years, this phenomenon already completely belongs to the category of bad habits.

Which is less harmful: a pacifier or a finger?

Doctors are unanimous on this issue: it is better to let the child suck a pacifier than his own finger. This is especially true for the period when baby teeth have not yet appeared. There are several reasons for this:

The habit of thumb sucking is much stronger, because it is always there, you don’t have to ask or look for it like a pacifier.
An infant who has a particularly strong need to satisfy the sucking reflex may seriously deform his finger.
A pacifier made of high-quality materials and suitable for the baby’s age has much less negative impact on the jaws.
The pacifier is easier to keep clean, it is disinfected, and you can be sure that the infection will not get into the child’s oral cavity in this way.

It is better to wean your baby off the habit of thumb sucking as early as possible, distracting him in every possible way with a pacifier or special latex teething toys.

Alternative

Round pacifiers, which have been the standard choice for generations, are currently the worst option. Now you can choose physiological nipples that have a less detrimental effect on the bite. Such orthodontic products differ from standard ones in their shape.

In addition to the classic ones, there are two types of pacifiers:

Anatomical – does not cause deformation and narrowing of the upper palate.
Orthodontic – promotes the formation of correct dentition, causes physiological tension in the lower jaw, which leads to its normal development and growth.

When choosing a product, you should pay attention to the following factors:

Beveled side surface on one side. This shape follows the mirror anatomy of the oral cavity. The beveled section turns towards the lower teeth, and the convex section should face the upper palate. Physiological contours make it possible to activate the growth of the mandibular bone, as it should happen normally.
Material. You can find latex and silicone products on sale. For the bite, the fact that latex expands during prolonged sucking is important, this causes a greater displacement of the teeth forward, therefore silicone products should be replaced more often than silicone ones.
Size. Using products that are too small or too large is more likely to cause orthodontic problems in a child. For infants up to six months, take the first size. From six months to one year - second size. If a child was born too large and grows quickly, the transition to the next size may occur earlier.
Air valve. In addition to such a negative aspect as swallowing air, the presence of a valve prevents the pacifier from sticking together, which leads to improper distribution of the load inside the oral cavity, chewing and facial muscles.

Recommendations for using the pacifier

In order for the bite after the pacifier to form correctly and without pathologies, it is enough to comply with the following conditions:

Do not allow your child to sleep with a pacifier in his mouth; this is easy to track: as soon as the baby is fast asleep, you need to carefully remove the pacifier from his mouth.
Observe the rules of hygiene: wash pacifiers thoroughly after each use, boil if necessary or replace with new ones.
Have several nipples; if one gets dirty, you will always have a clean one at hand.
Buy special containers for storing pacifiers; they are sealed and protected from dirt and moisture.
Try to give a pacifier only in extreme cases, and only when the child is not hungry.
Monitor the condition of the pacifier; if there is the slightest crack or break, it must be replaced; if there are no defects, it is necessary to replace the pacifier with a new one every 1.5-2 months.
Do not use a pacifier for the first time after discharge from the hospital, when the mother’s lactation is just establishing.
Do not give your baby a pacifier for more than a total of 6 hours a day.

And the most important advice: do not give the pacifier at the first call of the child. You must first determine the cause of the baby’s restless behavior and try to calm him down by satisfying his natural needs - feeding him, rocking him in his arms, changing his diaper, etc. It is also worth noting that in addition to malocclusion, the nipple, if used frequently, can cause more significant harm - disrupt the psycho-emotional contact between mother and baby.

Negative action

Despite the benefits of using a pacifier to satisfy a baby's sucking reflex, most dentists are unanimous in the opinion that long-term use of it has a negative impact on the condition of the oral cavity.

The size of the lower jaw of a newborn is significantly smaller compared to the upper. To enhance its growth, experts recommend focusing on breastfeeding, during which the lower jaw moves forward and the tongue makes wave-like movements.

When using a pacifier, the natural muscular balance is disrupted, resulting from the pressure of the tongue on the jaw line and the contraction of the muscles of the cheeks and lips during sucking.

The nipple puts pressure on the periodontium, leading to excessive stress on the mucous membrane. As a result, emerging teeth may shift into incorrect positions.

Most often, children who abuse a pacifier are subsequently diagnosed with a distal or open bite, as well as excessive forward inclination of the teeth of the upper jaw.

Pathological changes in the structure of the dentition occur if the total duration of pacifier use exceeds 6 hours a day.

If a child uses a soothing object extremely rarely, it will not cause malocclusion.

How to choose the right pacifier?

Modern parents are now seeing a huge range of pacifiers, from classic rubber ones to innovative latex ones with orthodontic properties. Which dummy will be correct and less harmful? Let's try to understand these subtle points and consider how nipples differ from each other:

According to the material from which they are made. It is best if the nipple is made of silicone or latex. Silicone is more stable, withstands mechanical stress, but at the same time it deforms the baby’s jaws more strongly, unlike latex.
To size. For each age of the child, a certain size of pacifier is provided; usually the manufacturer indicates this information on the packaging; compliance with this condition allows minimizing the harmful effects of the pacifier on the baby’s bite.
According to the form. Nipples are classic and anatomical (orthodontic). Of course, experts recommend using the latter; they have less of a negative impact on the formation of the jaw apparatus.
On the basis. It is better to choose pacifiers that have a recess on the base for the nose and chin, so they will not be damaged during active sucking.

What is an orthodontic pacifier?

The main feature of this nipple is its shape - part of it is beveled and flattened, which corresponds to a more natural position in the child’s mouth. Why did they do this? According to these parameters, it corresponds to the anatomical shape of the mother's breast when feeding the baby. This is how you can achieve the most correct grip with your mouth, as well as the desired formation of your bite.

What is an orthodontic pacifier used for? Like any other pacifier, it is given to the child to calm him down, stop crying, and whims. But due to its shape, it also additionally stimulates the development of the jaw apparatus, strengthens joints and has a positive effect on the position of future teeth.

How to wean a child off a pacifier?

To avoid difficulties in weaning your baby off the pacifier, it is necessary to study the issue of child development more carefully. Until the age of 7 months, the child needs to satisfy the sucking reflex, which gradually changes to chewing by the age of one year. After all, from the age of 6 months, pediatricians recommend gradually introducing the first complementary foods. At this stage, it is easiest to wean a baby off a pacifier; after a year, this process will already become a bad habit, and not satisfy the sucking reflex.

In order not to create unnecessary stress for the child, the weaning process should be started slowly, gradually reducing the time the pacifier is used. At this stage, there should be no difficulties, because the child develops very quickly both mentally and physiologically, he is interested in everything new, and the research instinct is actively manifested. Therefore, parents can only look for ways to distract themselves from the pacifier, which should now be given only when the baby can no longer be calmed by anything. If you show patience and persistence at the moment, you can wean your baby off the pacifier very quickly and gently.

At the age of one and a half years, if the habit of sucking a pacifier still persists, parents must show the child to a pediatric dentist so that he can determine whether the pacifier can ruin the bite and how strong its effect on the jaw apparatus is.

If a child cannot do without a pacifier after two years, the help of a child psychologist may be needed, because, most likely, the baby is uncomfortable in the environment and the pacifier appears to him as a kind of reassurance and protection.

It is necessary to urgently wean your baby off the pacifier in special cases:

If he has problems with hearing and speech.
In cases of mental retardation (under the supervision of a specialist).
Upon reaching the age of three years.

In any case, there is no universal way to wean off the pacifier; each baby needs a different approach. However, general recommendations boil down to the fact that during this difficult period for the child, you need to provide him with maximum comfort and protection, as well as distract him in every possible way and allow him to develop naturally.

Time frame for quitting a bad habit

Ideally, you should get rid of this bad habit before the age of one year. At the age of 11-12 months, saying goodbye to this product is easiest: the reflex has already weakened, and the addiction has not yet had time to take hold. In addition, at this age, a baby’s long-term memory is not so developed, so with a high degree of probability, unlearning will take place in a few hours or a day. If the process is difficult, a new toy or rattle will help you switch your attention. In practice, not all parents are ready to take such a step regarding their baby.

In children under 3-4 years of age, compensatory mechanisms are very highly developed, so getting rid of the pacifier can return the teeth to a physiological state even without orthodontic treatment. This occurs under the force of pressure from new teeth that are erupting and the restoration of proper load on the lips and cheeks - this phenomenon is called self-regulation.

If the dependence persists at the time of the appearance of a replacement set (in some children, permanent teeth begin to erupt at the age of five or even four), then the deviations become more serious and may require orthodontic treatment of the bite.

It is advisable to begin correction only after the child is completely weaned from the pacifier, otherwise the clinical picture will return in the first months after the end of the course.

Child oral care

You can soften the effect of the pacifier on the baby's palate and jaws not only by using anatomical models, but also by using special oral care products. ASEPTA Baby products are rightfully considered one of the best children's dental products:

ASEPTA Baby wet wipes from 0 to 3 years (special finger pads are designed for gentle cleansing and massage of the baby’s oral cavity).
ASEPTA Baby gel toothpaste from 0 to 3 years (effective prevention of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and prevention of the development of caries in children).
ASEPTA Kids gel toothpaste from 4 to 8 years (prevention of caries, inflammatory processes and tartar formation).
Paste for permanent teeth ASEPTA Teens from 8 years (saturation of tooth enamel with minerals, prevention of caries and prevention of gum inflammation).

Thanks to the wide range of tastes and aromas of ASEPTA products, the child will be happy to brush his teeth on his own. The natural composition of the pastes, as well as beneficial plant extracts and calcium enrichment, makes the series an indispensable oral care product for children. ASEPTA cares about the health of children's teeth!

Sources:

Study of the clinical effectiveness of the use of therapeutic and prophylactic agents of the ASEPTA series in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases in children and adolescents (I.V. Klimova) Irina Vladimirovna Klimova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Novosibirsk State Medical University. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Novosibirsk State Medical University.
The use of adhesive balm "Asepta®" in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases L.Yu. OREKHOVA*, Dr. med. Sciences, Professor, Head of Department V.V. CHPP**, Dr. med. Sciences, Professor, Head of Department S.B. ULITOVSKY*, Dr. med. Sciences, Professor A.A. LEONTIEV*, dentist A.A. DOMORAD**, O.M. YAKOVLEV** SPbSMU named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, St. Petersburg - *Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, **Department of Microbiology
Clinical experience in using the Asepta series of products Fuchs Elena Ivanovna Assistant of the Department of Therapeutic and Pediatric Dentistry State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation (GBOU VPO RyazSMU Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia)

Consumer Reviews

User about ASEPTA TEENS toothpaste Vasilisa (eapteka.ru)

“Asepta Baby wet wipes were very helpful in my time. When my daughter’s teeth began to erupt wildly, one by one, I began to try many children’s pain relievers that I knew. They helped for a maximum of 10 minutes and then the daughter’s terrible “screams” began again. Then I just started going to every pharmacy and asking for the best, most effective product, no matter what the price. And one of the pharmacists suggested these napkins to me; they were even cheaper than the products I had bought before, around 250 rubles. When I read about them on the Internet, I learned that wipes not only help relieve and relieve pain from teething, but also instill daily hygiene habits and disinfect the oral cavity in general. According to the instructions, I wiped my daughter’s entire oral cavity, her gums, her cheeks, her tongue, everything. With these napkins, my daughter became much calmer; of course, I noticed that my daughter was experiencing discomfort in her mouth, but not that much. Now I often take them on the road for myself and my children, when I can’t brush my teeth; for me, this is another plus for these napkins).”

Vasilisa about ASEPTA BABY napkins (market.yandex.ru)

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Surgical treatment of inverted nipples

The surgical procedure depends on whether the patient plans to become pregnant in the future. If pregnancy is planned, the surgeon preserves the integrity of the milk ducts; if not, he dissects them. There is no big difference in the final results, but you should be aware that the preservation of the milk ducts can cause repeated nipple retraction (although the risk is still very small).

Regardless of whether the milk ducts are dissected, the operation can be performed either under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. To achieve better results and high aesthetics, the work is performed under a microscope.

Progress of the operation with preservation of the milk ducts: