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Pacifiers And Tooth Development

  • March 3, 2019
  • 9:00 am
  • Pediatric
  • Child, Dr. Scott

If your child uses a pacifier, then they are probably relatively attached to it. You might have heard that it is possible that constant pacifier use can damage their teeth. This is often referred to as “pacifier teeth,” and is a true dental issue, but there are ways to prevent damage caused by pacifiers. In this blog, Dr. Scott’s team at Parkcrest Dental Group explains what issues can be caused by pacifiers, and how to break the pacifier habit.

What Damage Can Pacifiers Cause?

Pacifier use can cause your child’s mouth to change, along with the alignment of the teeth. As your child matures, their jaws will take the shape of anything they have routinely been holding within their mouth. This can cause the teeth to tip forward, causing issues with their bite. The roof of the mouth can also be altered, along with overbites and underbites. A reliable pediatric dentist can analyze your children’s teeth, and work to help correct dental issues caused by pacifiers.

Related Posts: Thumb Sucking Leads to Dental Damage

How Can I Get My Child To Stop Using Pacifiers?

It can be very hard for your child to break the pacifier habit, especially if they immediately try to start sucking their thumbs. Thumb sucking can negatively impact your child’s teeth as well, so it is important to teach other self-soothing strategies. If you notice that your child tends to use their pacifier most when they are afraid, make sure to cuddle them and spend time with them. Remove the pacifier from their mouth. Your presence should be enough to calm them. It is important to be positive with your children. Offer them encouragement as they stop sucking their thumbs. Tell them that you are proud of their progress. It can be beneficial to utilize a prize chart. If your child goes a full day without using their pacifier, perhaps they get a sugar free snack as a reward. Use stickers to track their progress and work up to a bigger reward, like a trip to the park.

Related Posts: Children and Teeth Development

Contact Dr. Scott At Parkcrest Dental

If you still have questions about how to stop pacifier use, or if you think your child may be showing signs of having pacifier teeth or other issues related to pacifier usage, contact Dr. Scott and his team at Parkcrest Dental today.

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Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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