Patient's question:
Baby 1 is 18 months old and always likes to suck on Mom when sleeping. Is it harmful to teeth to use a pacifier? Previous treatment history and effectiveness: None. What kind of help is needed: Is it harmful to teeth to use a pacifier?Doctor's answer:
From a physiological perspective, since babies are born with innate non-conditioned reflexes and sucking reflexes, these will gradually disappear over time. Additionally, when continuously sucking on a pacifier, air enters the baby's mouth through the sides of the mouth with each dry swallow, subsequently entering the stomach. The gastrointestinal tract also reflexively twists, and frequent twisting can easily lead to recurrent intestinal spasms, causing abdominal pain. Long-term use of pacifiers can interfere with the growth and development of the baby's upper and lower jaw, also leading to the formation of a high palate arch. This may result in improper grinding of the upper and lower teeth, creating an unattractive appearance of the lips.