Is it true that the use of a pacifier or nursing bottle is bad for my son’s teeth?
Posted Jul 06 2010 7:34am
Generally, the use of a pacifier is not in itself bad for your child’s teeth. Unfortunately, many parents dip it in honey or some other sweet solution, before placing it in the child’s mouth. It is only then that pacifiers could be harmful.
Similarly, a nursing bottle is not likely to harm the teeth unless the contents are sweetened or given frequently to the child. Some parents place feeding bottles with sweetened milk in children’s mouths just before they fall asleep. This practice should be avoided.
The effect of such habits is that the teeth are bathed in sweet sticky solutions for prolonged periods, providing ideal conditions for teeth to decay. It is not uncommon for such children to have several decayed teeth which are grossly broken down and discoloured.
Generally, the use of a pacifier is not in itself bad for your child’s teeth. Unfortunately, many parents dip it in honey or some other sweet solution, before placing it in the child’s mouth. It is only then that pacifiers could be harmful.
Similarly, a nursing bottle is not likely to harm the teeth unless the contents are sweetened or given frequently to the child. Some parents place feeding bottles with sweetened milk in children’s mouths just before they fall asleep. This practice should be avoided.
The effect of such habits is that the teeth are bathed in sweet sticky solutions for prolonged periods, providing ideal conditions for teeth to decay. It is not uncommon for such children to have several decayed teeth which are grossly broken down and discoloured.