Although a pacifier may be beneficial for your child early in life, there comes a time to wean them off of it. If you’re not sure when to start this process, the pediatric dentistry experts at Pedodontic Associates, with offices on Oahu and Maui, will gladly answer your questions on the subject.

Generally, medical experts recommend stopping pacifier usage around the time your child is six months old. Continuing to use one after this point has been linked to an increased risk of ear infections.

However, there are instances in which a child may benefit from using a pacifier even through their toddler years. This is often the case when a toddler has difficulty adjusting to new situations, like a day care center or new doctor. The pacifier helps to sooth them during these transitions. But you don’t want it to become a crutch. Even in cases such as this, pediatric dentistry experts recommend limiting pacifier usage once your child is two years old and stopping it completely after three years.

Aside from ear infections, the main concern parents have about excessive pacifier use has to do with potential damage to the child’s primary teeth. Fortunately, after a few months without using a pacifier, baby teeth shift back into place. It’s more important to coordinate with your pediatric dentist to make sure your child stops using the pacifier once their adult teeth begin to erupt. Be honest during pediatric dentistry appointments about your child’s pacifier usage so the dentist can check their teeth and jaws for any abnormalities.

If you’re having difficulty weaning your child off their pacifier, schedule an appointment with the experts at Pedodontic Associates, offering dental care to patients on Oahu and Maui. They’ll help you better understand your options. Contact them online to learn more about their pediatric dentistry services, or call (808) 735-1733.