PACIFIERS

The Truth About Pacifiers: Supporting Healthy Oral Development

Yes, long-term pacifier use can negatively impact your child’s palate, jaw, and overall facial development. It may also contribute to oral dysfunction if not managed properly.

But let’s be clear — pacifiers aren’t the enemy!

When used thoughtfully, pacifiers can be a helpful tool in your baby’s development. The key lies in:

  • Choosing the right shape to promote proper oral function - Cylindrical in shape!

  • Controlling how often and when they’re used.

    • Use it to SOOTHE, then take the pacifier out to establish proper tongue posture which is being suctioned UP in the roof of the mouth.

    • We don’t want to develop a habit where the pacifier is constantly in the mouth throughout the day.

  • Weaning by an appropriate age to avoid long-term effects.

    • It is HIGHLY recommended to eliminate the pacifier usage by 6 months, no longer than 12 months old.

Cylindrical in shape is what we are looking for.

AVENT Soothie

Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci

Ninni Pacifier

These pacifiers promote elevation of the sides and back of the tongue which develops the muscles needed for proper oral posture, function, and feeding skills.

AVOID PLUSH ANIMAL PACIFIERS Why the Weight of a Pacifier Attachment Matters

The added weight of a stuffed animal hanging from a pacifier may seem harmless — even cute — but research shows it can significantly increase the force exerted during sucking, which can impact your baby’s oral development.

A study found that it takes a minimum of 0.4 Newtons (N) of force to cause orthodontic movement in the mouth — meaning enough pressure to begin reshaping dental or facial structures.

  • A pacifier alone typically exerts only 0.05 N to 0.2 N (5.1 g to 20.4 g) of force — well below the threshold for dental changes.

  • However, when a stuffed animal is attached, the force can jump to 0.47 N to 0.7 N (47.9 g to 71.4 g) — exceeding the orthodontic threshold.

    (Tesini DA, Berk DA, Parakh HR. Forces Generated During Plush Animal Pacifier Use: A Pilot Study. Pediatr Dent. 2023 May 15;45(3):177-180. PMID: 37381124.)

Over time, this increased force — especially when combined with frequent and prolonged use — may influence the development of the palate, jaws, and facial structure.

Tip: Your baby can still cuddle their favorite plush animal — just keep it separate from the pacifier to support healthier oral development.