Everything you've ever wondered about baby dummies: From sleeping to teeth damage

Aug 16, 2023

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Giving a baby a pacifier can be a big decision for parents.

Babies are born with a natural sucking reflex, and it’s not just for feeding - it provides comfort and calming in a strange, unfamiliar world.

Unsurprisingly, many parents choose to give their baby a dummy to help satisfy this natural urge, and reduce grizzling and crying in between feeds or naps, or simply help a baby nod off.

But, while letting a baby suck on a dummy - also known as a pacifier - has become more socially acceptable as years go by, there are still many questions that frequently come up about them, ranging from if they affect developing teeth, to if a baby should sleep with one in their mouth.

To get a better understanding of the pros, cons, do’s and don’ts, we asked Clare Byam-Cook. a trained nurse and midwife who now specialises in helping mothers resolve breast or bottle feeding problems, and Anne Mette, Dentist, Oral Health Communicator & Consultant for their expert take on the big questions about dummies.

There are three main types of dummies, and it comes down to the teat or ‘nipple’ shape; symmetrical, anatomical, and round. The round nipple is designed to mimic the sucking technique when breastfeeding and helps prevent nipple confusion.The anatomical, also known as the orthodontic pacifier, is designed to have a flatter fit in the baby's mouth.

Not one shape is better than another, and it usually comes down to your baby’s preference. The different shapes interact differently with the teeth and palate, but all of the different shapes can result in dental malocclusion or ‘pacifier teeth’.

This term is used to describe a misaligned bite which can include a crossbite, an open bite, or other types of malocclusions (where the teeth don't meet). These dental issues are more commonly seen when older children are still using pacifiers, but can be avoided if they stop before age 3.

Dummies come in latex and silicon. Natural Rubber Latex is a natural material made from a sticky milky fluid tapped from the Hevea tree, and is a super soft, elastic, and resilient material very much resembling the mother's soft nipple. Silicone is an industrially manufactured hypoallergenic, which is an odourless and taste-neutral material that is known for its purity.

Every pacifier is made from three key parts: the nipple, shield, and ring. The nipple is designed to be soft and comfortable. The shield is there to stop the pacifier from being sucked into the mouth, and it’s really important to look for one that has holes in. This stops the baby’s saliva from collecting behind the shield which can cause skin irritation and rashes.

The ring part can be used as a handle to easily remove the pacifier from the mouth, and you can attach a clip to it which will prevent it from falling on to the floor, or from it getting easily lost.

Whatever dummy you choose, remember to sterilise it before first use, and when needed, simply wash them in warm water.

‘Babies have a natural urge to suck, and sucking on a dummy is known to bring them comfort and help them settle down to sleep,’ Clare explains. ‘If you introduce a dummy as part of your baby's sleep routine, you should use it each time your baby sleeps and incorporate it into your regular sleep routine.'

Clare, who works with MAM, says that the brand’s soothers are available in a range of sizes to grow in line with children’s jaw development, all the way up to 3 years of age.

‘Many paediatric dentists and other medical experts recommend the use of orthodontic soothers because it is much easier to wean a child off of soothers than it is to wean off of thumb-sucking,’ she adds.

'Many dentists support introducing a pacifier. It can promote feelings of security and allows infants to self-soothe. It can really be a lifesaver for parents!' Anne, who works with BIBS says.

'The severity of pacifier teeth primarily depends on the length and intensity of the child's pacifier-sucking habits. The longer time and pressure the sucking habit influences the orofacial structures, the higher risk of open bite, overbite, and crossbite.

'Altogether, researchers argue that there is not enough evidence to favour orthodontic or conventional, round, pacifiers when preventing dental malocclusion. Depending on the usage, all pacifier shapes can affect the teeth. It depends on the usage. Stop before the age of 3, and teeth will usually correct themselves.

'Pacifiers come in both latex and silicone, but no material is better than the other. It all depends on you and your child's preference.’

‘Some parents introduce soothers for newborns who are suffering from reflux or colic to alleviate their symptoms and therefore calm an unsettled baby,’ says Clare. ‘They can also be a great aid to help establish a sleep routine for smaller babies. In other situations, a particular baby may benefit from using the dummy when they are unwell or when they usually protest, like sitting in their car seat, for example. It all depends on the needs of the individual baby!’

‘Some babies can settle without using a soother, and some may meet their urge to suck by sucking on a thumb or finger instead,’ says Clare.

‘Many healthcare professionals highlight that using an orthodontic soother is preferable to sucking on a thumb or finger, as prolonged thumb sucking can lead to misshapen jaws and teeth and often speech problems whilst soother usage can be gently discouraged.’

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