Policy on Pacifiers

Policy statement

The AAPD supports parents in the decision to introduce a pacifier based on their infant’s needs and parental preference as pacifiers may be beneficial during the first few months of life in helping premature infants develop the sucking reflex, offering comfort and soothing, providing an analgesic effect during minor invasive procedures, decreasing the incidence of SIDS, and preventing a persistent finger-sucking habit. The AAPD encourages parents to establish a dental home for their children by 12 months of age⁵⁸ to allow time-critical opportunities for anticipatory guidance on preventive health practices including the discontinuance of nonnutritive sucking habits by 36 months of age. The AAPD supports consistent messaging by medical and dental providers when educating parents on the risks of a prolonged pacifier habit as usage after 12 months of age can increase the risk of acute otitis media and beyond 18 months can influence the developing orofacial complex, leading to anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, and Class II malocclusion. Understanding the safety, benefits, and risks is critical to counseling parents on the use of pacifiers. Furthermore, the AAPD encourages additional research regarding pacifier selection to minimize disturbances of the developing orofacial complex.