Does Pacifier Use Cause Speech Impediments?

Some kids are thumb suckers and some love their pacifier right up to the preschool years. While breaking a pacifier habit is usually easier, since you can take away the paci but not the thumb, extended and frequent use can still lead to dental problems that can cause speech impediments. Consult with your dentist to make sure that your child's beloved pacifier is not causing long-term health problems.

  1. Dental Risks

    • The most serious risk of pacifier use, which can possibly cause or contribute to a speech impediment, is the risk of developing teeth coming in malaligned. Frequent pacifier use most commonly causes the central incisors to move upward and anteriorly, leading to an open space where the incisors should meet and causing possible speech defects, such as a lisp. This dental damage may be permanent but can also frequently be fixed by orthodontics -- for a price.

    Age

    • The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that pacifier use up until the age of 5 years old is unlikely to cause irreversible dental damage that could lead to speech impediments. Start trying to break your child of the pacifier habit at least by age 4, as it may be a long process. The AAP does recommend pacifier use in babies after breastfeeding has been established as a preventative measure for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Ideally, however, pacifier use should be stopped as early as possible after infancy, as the longer a child uses a pacifier, the more likely there will be some form of dental deformity.

    Frequency

    • Offer the pacifier until age 1, but do not rely on it as your first step when your baby or toddler is upset. More frequent use increases the risk of dental problems leading to speech impediments. Use alternate soothing methods, like rocking or singing, when your child is crying. Only offer it at certain times, like after a meal, but do not let your child carry the pacifier in her mouth all day long, particularly once she is past age 1.

    Solutions

    • Once a toddler or preschooler is used to having a pacifier frequently, it may be hard to convince her to give it up. However, getting creative can make the pacifier weaning process easier for both of you while helping to keep her teeth healthy and, therefore, her speech capabilities higher. Have a special party or trade the pacifier in for a new "big kid" toy or limit the pacifier use and make a sticker chart to reward your child for not begging for the pacifier at other times.

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