{"id":107,"date":"2023-02-27T19:42:17","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T19:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardsonortho.com\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2023-02-27T19:42:18","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T19:42:18","slug":"how-to-wean-your-child-off-of-a-pacifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardsonortho.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/27\/how-to-wean-your-child-off-of-a-pacifier\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Wean your Child Off of a Pacifier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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February is National Children\u2019s Dental Health Month, which is a time when people learn a little more about what it takes to keep kids\u2019 smiles shining. That can mean getting braces to correct alignment problems, but understanding what can cause misalignment, and what you can do about it, is equally important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, sucking habits<\/a> past a certain age can potentially cause long-term problems for your child\u2019s teeth. If you want to know how, or how you can prevent that, here\u2019s a guide with some information you should have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

When Should I Wean My Child Off of Their Pacifier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some dentists recommend weaning your child off of their pacifier at the age of 2, but many organizations think that\u2019s too early. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that parents should aim for the age of four\u2014past that point, a pacifier could damage your child\u2019s future oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What If My Child Uses Their Pacifier for Too Long?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, if your child still uses their pacifier occasionally past the age of four, there shouldn\u2019t be that much of a problem. The long-term effects of pacifier use are a result of not only the age of your child, but the frequency and intensity of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s possible that your child\u2019s jaw could start developing around the pacifier itself. This leads to an alignment issue known as \u201copen bite,\u201d where your child\u2019s front teeth don\u2019t meet when they close their mouth.  When you see a picture of the condition, it almost looks like there\u2019s a pacifier-shaped gap in their smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Wean My Child Off of Their Pacifier?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your child is very dependent on pacifier use, getting them to stop can be a massive challenge. Here are a few things you can try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n