When Should my Child give up their Dummy?

Dummies or pacifiers

Today – Dummies.

So, my thoughts and advice this morning.

Dummy-sucking is a common comfort-seeking behaviour among infants and young children- all of mine had them – some later than others

While it can provide soothing effects for the child, excessive or prolonged use of a dummy can potentially cause issues with dental health, leading to tooth decay and the development of an anterior open bite.

That’s what I’ve seen over my last 30 years.

Tooth Decay

Sucking on a dummy for extended periods can expose a child’s teeth to a constant presence of sugar, especially if the dummy is coated with sweet substances. Sugar acts as food for harmful bacteria in the mouth, producing acid that erodes tooth enamel. Over time, this erosion can progress to tooth decay, causing cavities and other dental problems.

If they have a dummy – Don’t dip it in anything.

Make sure you brush your teeth!

If a child can suck on a dummy dipped in sugary substances or syrup, the risk of tooth decay increases significantly. The sugars from the dummy mix with the child’s saliva, creating an environment conducive to tooth decay.

Anterior Open Bite

Prolonged and intense sucking on a dummy can also affect the development of a child’s bite, particularly the anterior open bite.

It’s a gap at the front, just like this picture

An anterior open bite occurs when the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed. The constant pressure exerted on the teeth and jaw from the dummy can cause the upper front teeth to move outward and the lower front teeth to move inward, resulting in an open bite.

The structural changes in the jaw and teeth alignment can lead to speech difficulties and affect the overall facial appearance. It can also cause proper chewing and swallowing challenges, impacting a child’s nutritional intake and oral functions.

Will it revert when the dummy is lost – usually, yes, so my advice

Assess, get advice from your dentist, and if they are baby teeth, well, things often revert

Prevention and Intervention

Parents must monitor and regulate dummy use to mitigate the potential adverse effects of dummy-sucking on dental health. Here are some tips:

1. Limit Dummy Use: Gradually reduce the child’s dependency on the dummy, especially as they grow older. Reserve it for bedtime or times of extreme comfort.
2. Choose Safe Dummies: Opt for orthodontically designed pacifiers that cause less interference with teeth alignment and development.
3. Promote Good Oral Hygiene: Encourage proper oral hygiene practices, including regular tooth brushing, especially after dummy use and meals.
4. Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule routine dental visits to monitor your child’s dental development and address any concerns early on.

So when should I stop my child having a dummy?

The appropriate age to stop using a dummy can vary for each child and should be considered in the context of their overall development and dental health. It is individual and is dependent on so many factors

Here are some general guidelines to consider:

1. Around Ages 3-5 + 4. By this time, many children have developed other coping mechanisms and communication skills to express their needs and emotions – and thats important

Baby teeth are still in place, and until the permanent teeth start erupting and there is decay or adverse speech issues, I’d say wait until then

2. Transition with Milestones: Aim to gradually reduce dummy use in sync with major developmental milestones, such as potty training or starting preschool. However, with mine, this never worked

So what did I do? It was an all-or-nothing technique.

I waited till Easter or Christmas. (they were occupied).

I told them that the fairies were coming and they had to “get rid of the dummy for an extra present.”

We could bury it.

For me, it was the physical act (of burying it) that worked.

I got them a spade.

I got them to do a hole.

I got them to bury the dummy.

I left them a present.

From the fairy.

I had one or two little tears, but those dummies still remain at the bottom of my garden to this day !!! #toughlove

Ultimately, deciding to stop using a dummy use should be a collaborative effort between parents and sometimes healthcare professionals, considering the child’s emotional well-being and dental health.

Making the transition a positive experience for the child is essential, be it weaning or, in my case, a story, a bribe and a no-go-back situation.

I told that story this morning and showed her my little girl Megan – she now has a fantastic smile, and the dummy remains where she left it.

I also found a picture of me many years ago – 2 Dummies in that photo – and I think I traded mine all those years ago, too.