Dummy Teeth: Is Your Child’s Pacifier Harming Their Smile?

Just like the first dental visit, there is a lot to consider when it comes to pacifiers. In this article I guide you through three key reasons why your child might develop ‘dummy teeth’, and how to prevent them. Let’s dive in.

First, let’s understand the innate needs of babies

Babies are born with a strong innate urge to suck. It is one of the infant’s primary calming mechanisms, essential for their development and comfort, and it helps them through the first weeks and months of life.

This instinct ensures reflexive sucking at the breast, on fingers, or on a pacifier as soon as they touch the mouth. For infants who breastfeed, this need is often met during nursing sessions. For babies who do not breastfeed, a pacifier can be a valuable tool to fulfil their need for non-nutritive sucking.

What are the benefits of a pacifier?

• Pacifiers play a role in reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• They soothe fussy or irritable infants; sucking provides comfort and security and helps babies self-regulate their emotions.
• Many parents find pacifiers help their baby fall asleep more easily and improve sleep quality.
• They help overstimulated babies settle in busy social settings.
• They give mamas a break — a hot shower, a cup of coffee, a proper conversation with a friend, or a moment of calm for your own mental wellbeing.

But when does a pacifier become damaging for a child?

In more than 15 years of practice as a Specialist Pediatric Dentist, I have identified three key reasons why pacifiers can damage a baby’s teeth and why they are linked to the development of ‘dummy teeth’.

Reason 1: Prolonged and excessive pacifier use

Pacifier overuse, especially in older toddlers, can lead to an abnormal tongue position in the mouth, tooth misalignment, and improper jaw development. If you offer a pacifier all day and all night, that constant pressure can damage the jaw and the teeth.

Reason 2: Choosing the wrong pacifier shape

Selecting the correct pacifier is crucial. Heavy pacifiers weighing more than 10 grams, or bulky, hard silicone ones that partially block the nose, can negatively affect jaw development.

Reason 3: Strong intensity of sucking

The intensity of sucking also plays a big role in developing ‘dummy teeth’. Some babies have stronger sucking reflexes than others, creating excessive negative pressure inside the mouth. Submitting the jaw muscles to that power repetitively, and for long periods, creates damage.

How to prevent dummy teeth: ask your pediatric dentist

If your baby uses a pacifier, discuss with your pediatric dentist which pacifier is best for your baby to prevent dummy teeth. Book your child’s first oral-health check-up at age one, or before their first tooth emerges, so any negative side effects of pacifier use — and any early orthodontic concern — can be spotted and prevented in time.

At JuniorDental in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, I check the bite, the palate shape and the tongue position at every visit, and coach parents through gentle, shame-free weaning when the habit needs to stop.