pacifier habit and teeth problems in toddler - Children's Health Message Board

Piperdreams · 08-29-2002, 07:26 AM

Hullo everyone:

My sister-in-law who is a dentist said that my two year old daughter has severe underbite due to her pacifier sucking habit. She thinks that if my daughter stops her pacifier habit by the end of this year the problem *may* disappear on its own. I will make her withdraw from her pacifer habit but I still cannot help but be very concerned about this problem. I was wondering if anybody on this board had a similar problem when they were younger or if you have heard anything about it. Thanks.

Piper

christie s · 08-31-2002, 09:50 AM

Piper, my daughter sucked her pacifier until she was 1 year old then started sucking her thumb until she was 8. She had an overbite from the thumb sucking and we were very concerned about it. She is now 12 and has no problems at all, it took a while but it did correct itself.

Lynn893 · 09-15-2002, 04:11 PM

I hate to say it, but there is alot of fear telling out there about thumb sucking / pacifer sucking causing problems... What I hate is everyone saying "don't let your child do that because...." when there is absolutely NO proof that those things cause an under or over bite.

My eldest child sucked her thumb until she was 5 years old. No problems there at all. My middle child didn't have the need to suck, yet he has problems with his teeth. My youngest child used a pacifer (24/7 it seemed) until just before her 3rd birthday. She has no problems at all.

Some children need to suck. It's as simple as that. To deprive you child of something that he/she needs is not our job as a parent. Some children don't have that need, but for those that do, I honestly believe that there is no harm to be done in allowing the child to suck the thumb or pacifer up until the child decides it doesn't need it anymore.

 just my opinion

peace