• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lowcountry Family Dentistry Beaufort SC Dentist

Header Right

843-986-0177
Mon-Thurs 7:30AM-3:30PM
154 Sea Island Pkwy, Beaufort, SC 29907
  • Home
  • Our Office
    • Meet Dr. Covington
    • Meet Dr. DuRant
    • Our Technology
    • Dental Office Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Family Dentistry
      • Teeth Cleanings
      • Dental Exams
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Periodontal Therapy
      • Periodontal Maintenance
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Tooth Extraction
      • Root Canal Therapy
      • Nitrous Sedation
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Professional Teeth Whitening
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Dental Bonding
      • Tooth Contouring & Shaping
      • Invisalign Clear Braces
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Dental Fillings
      • Composite Fillings
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Bridge
      • Removable Dentures
      • Inlays and Onlays
      • Air Abrasion
    • Implant Dentistry
      • Single Tooth Dental Implants
      • Implant Supported Bridge
      • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Children’s Teeth Cleaning
      • Fluoride Treatments
      • Dental Sealants
      • Stainless Steel Crowns
      • Space Maintainers
      • Children’s First Dental Visit
      • Interceptive Orthodontics
      • Pulp Therapy
      • Athletic Mouthguards
    • Emergency Dental Care
  • Dental Concerns
    • Bleeding Gums
    • Crooked Teeth
    • Discolored Teeth
    • TMJ/TMD Treatment
    • Dental Anxiety
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
  • CEREC Crowns
  • Dental Implants
    • What is a Dental Implant?
    • Benefits of Dental Implants
    • Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
    • Cost of Dental Implants
    • Types of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implant Procedure
    • Dental Implants for Multiple Missing Teeth
    • Dental Implants vs Dentures
  • Patient Resources
    • New Patient Forms
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Dental Insurance
    • Payment Policy
    • Covid-19 Safeguards
  • Dental Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Our Office
    • Meet Dr. Covington
    • Meet Dr. DuRant
    • Our Technology
    • Dental Office Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Family Dentistry
      • Teeth Cleanings
      • Dental Exams
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Periodontal Therapy
      • Periodontal Maintenance
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Tooth Extraction
      • Root Canal Therapy
      • Nitrous Sedation
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Professional Teeth Whitening
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Dental Bonding
      • Tooth Contouring & Shaping
      • Invisalign Clear Braces
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Dental Fillings
      • Composite Fillings
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Bridge
      • Removable Dentures
      • Inlays and Onlays
      • Air Abrasion
    • Implant Dentistry
      • Single Tooth Dental Implants
      • Implant Supported Bridge
      • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Children’s Teeth Cleaning
      • Fluoride Treatments
      • Dental Sealants
      • Stainless Steel Crowns
      • Space Maintainers
      • Children’s First Dental Visit
      • Interceptive Orthodontics
      • Pulp Therapy
      • Athletic Mouthguards
    • Emergency Dental Care
  • Dental Concerns
    • Bleeding Gums
    • Crooked Teeth
    • Discolored Teeth
    • TMJ/TMD Treatment
    • Dental Anxiety
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
  • CEREC Crowns
  • Dental Implants
    • What is a Dental Implant?
    • Benefits of Dental Implants
    • Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
    • Cost of Dental Implants
    • Types of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implant Procedure
    • Dental Implants for Multiple Missing Teeth
    • Dental Implants vs Dentures
  • Patient Resources
    • New Patient Forms
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Dental Insurance
    • Payment Policy
    • Covid-19 Safeguards
  • Dental Blog
  • Contact Us

Children & Pacifiers

May 7, 2017 //  by Lowcountry Family Dentistry

Many babies are calmed and soothed by sucking on pacifiers during naps or at bedtime. Pacifiers can be a very positive experience for your children, especially during their first six months of development. In addition to its calming effect, studies indicate that pacifier use in infants can help decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and aid in the development of jaw muscles. While generally a healthy habit within the first two years of life, continued or improper use of pacifiers may ultimately negatively impact your child’s health.

Potential Pacifier Problems

Pacifier use is typically acceptable after an infant is one month old and has had sufficient time to develop a healthy breastfeeding habit. However, pediatric dentists recommend that children stop using pacifiers after their second year, when it becomes more of a habit than a developmental need. Research shows that continued pacifier use, especially after age 2, is often associated with the following: • Increased risk of middle ear infection • Improper growth of the mouth • Misalignment of teeth • Dental crossbite and/or open bite • Development of a thumb-sucking habit

Tips for correct pacifier use

For infants, correct use and care of pacifiers must be considered. Here are a few tips: • Purchase orthodontically designed pacifiers. • Clean the pacifier regularly. • Check frequently for cracks, discolorations,  and tears in the pacifier’s rubber. • Replace damaged or old pacifiers. • Wash pacifiers prior to first use. • Do not tie pacifiers around your infant’s neck. • Offer pacifiers after and between meals, at naptime or bedtime.

Proper pacifier cleaning

The shape and  materials used to create pacifiers makes them very susceptible to colonization by bacterial organisms, including Staphylococcus (staph infection). To prevent the spread of bacteria and disease, clean your child’s pacifiers at least once a day. They can be cleaned using mild soap and water. Pacifiers that are dishwasher safe can be cleaned easily using this effective method. When cleaning pacifiers, make sure to remove all excess water from the nipple, where it can collect and cause bacterial growth.

Saying good-bye to the pacifier

For some infants, giving up the pacifier can be difficult, especially when they become emotionally attached to the habit.  However, parents looking to wean their children from the pacifier can begin by offering other alternatives, including: • Rocking motions, singing, or music during naptime and/or bedtime. • Activities and games. • Toys. Additionally, to further help break the pacifier habit, parents can: • Limit its use gradually over time. • Reduce pacifier satisfaction by piercing the pacifier’s nipple or trimming the pacifier short. • Dip the pacifier in a safe, but undesirable flavor, such as white vinegar. • Go “cold turkey” and refuse to offer the pacifier.

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin

Category: Dental Education

Previous Post: « Pain Management
Next Post: Pediatric Dentist vs General Dentist Pediatric Dentist vs General Dentist | Lowcountry Family Dentistry | Beaufort SC Dentist»

Primary Sidebar

Make an Appointment

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Dental Services

  • General Dentistry
    • Family Dentistry
    • Teeth Cleanings
    • Dental Exams
    • Periodontal Therapy
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Periodontal Maintenance
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Root Canal Therapy
    • Nitrous Sedation (Laughing Gas)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Professional Teeth Whitening
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Dental Bonding
    • Tooth Contouring & Shaping
    • Invisalign Clear Braces
  • Restorative Dentistry
    • Dental Fillings
    • Composite Fillings
    • Dental Crowns
    • Dental Bridge
    • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Air Abrasion
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Fluoride Treatments
    • Dental Sealants
    • Stainless Steel Crowns
    • Space Maintainers
    • Children’s First Dental Visit
    • Interceptive Orthodontics
    • Pulp Therapy
    • Athletic Mouthguards
  • Emergency Dental Care
  • Dental Concerns
    • Bleeding Gums
    • Crooked Teeth
    • Discolored Teeth
    • Sleep Apnea
    • TMJ/TMD Treatment
    • Dental Anxiety
  • Same-Day Crowns (CEREC)
  • Dental Implants
    • Benefits of Dental Implants
    • Types of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implant Procedure
    • Cost of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implants vs Dentures
    • Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Footer

Lowcountry Family Dentistry

154 Sea Island Pkwy
Beaufort, SC 29907

843-986-0177

Monday to Thursday
7:30am-3:30pm

  • Our Office
  • Dental Services
  • CEREC Crowns
  • Dental Concerns
  • Dental Implants
  • Invisalign
  • Patient Resources
  • Patient Forms
  • Request Appointment
  • Payments and Insurance
  • Make an Payment
  • Contact Us

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • My Google Business

Copyright © 2020 Lowcountry Family Dentistry, All Rights Reserved
Sitemap