Thumb Sucking vs.
(Continued from Page 1) PacifiersThe biggest argument that most experts use in preferring pacifiers over thumbs and fingers is that they say that you can simply take away a pacifier if a child develops a prolonged pacifier sucking habit. On the other hand, your child’s fingers or thumb are right there as long as she wants to continue to suck on them. Being able to take away pacifiers may work in theory, but many parents of prolonged pacifier users have a hard time simply taking them away. Some experts also argue that ‘orthodontic’ pacifiers are less likely to cause dental problems, however the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that “thumb, finger and pacifier sucking all affect the teeth essentially the same way.” Also, using a pacifier is no guarantee that your child won’t become a thumb sucker.
