Is pacifiers useful for baby?/children dentistry

Pacifier
Children Dentistry

 Children Dentistry
A pacifier is an artificial nipple designed for infants in order to suck on for relaxation. Babies are recognized for sucking anything they get into their hands. Many suck their thumbs or fingers. Baby when Foetus commence sucking their thumb before they are born, so they have an intense desire for sucking. Requirement for sucking differs from baby to baby.
Pacifiers are known in different names in various countries.They are called  Dummy in United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Breast feeding is most effective way to calm infants after that the thumb or the finger may also be put into the mouth of the infant to get used as the pacifier.

Types of Pacifiers /Children Dentistry

Latex Pacifier
Children Dentistry

Silicone Pacifier
Children Dentistry

There are two main types of pacifier:

Latex Pacifier

• A latex pacifier is softer and more flexible than a silicone pacifier
• It wears out faster though
• It comes in different designs and colors

Silicone pacifier

• A silicone pacifier is firm and holds its shape longer
• It is easy to clean
• It is more durable than a later pacifier
• It comes in different designs and color

Good pacifier should have shield and handle as one piece and nipple must be knotted around back of the handle, it'll prevent nipple from falling. The shield should have air holes to prevent saliva from collecting behind it, that may cause irritation. Pacifiers should be simple to clean & easy to hold. Pacifiers come in several designs and sizes. Pacifier nipples come in various shapes like with long, short or flattened end. Baby may prefer a certain type.

Advantages of Pacifiers/children dentistry

• Pacifier help to calm the baby.
• Pacifiers help baby to settle to sleep
• Pacifier offer temporary distraction. If your baby is hungry, a pacifier may comfort the baby for few minutes. 
• Pacifier helps to soothe a fussy baby.

Disadvantages of Pacifiers/children Dentistry

• Long-term dummy use can bring about dental problems - dummies or thumb-sucking may result in problems as the teeth grow and develop, particularly if the child is still by using as a comfort when their permanent teeth are coming through. To correct these problems, the child may need to wear a temporary or fixed brace on their teeth for a year or two when they are older.
• Pacifier interfere with breast feeding
• Speech problems - using a dummy prevents babies from babbling, that's an essential part of learning to talk, and discourages toddlers from chatting, that they need to do to develop their language skills.
• Connection to stomach and various infections - dummy use may be associated with a greater risk of symptoms like vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and colic, in addition to with the doctor being called to the home, and having to go into hospital.
• If lost during sleep, its absence can wake up the child and can make him cry. 
• Children who suck pacifiers may be more prone to ear infections (otitis media)
• Honey filled pacifiers  may lead to nursing bottle caries in children

Children Dentistry