Will pacifiers damage newborn gums or the growth of teeth?
No. The only time, in fact, that pacifiers are a problem is children who don’t keep it all the way in. When the pacifer is plugged in normally, the tongue is in a different position than when the pacifier is only partway in (some kids do this). To see the difference, stick your index finger tip into your mouth and suck on it. Notice what parts of the tongue you are using. Now, stick your finger in up to the second knucke (which is where the pacifier would normally be). Now suck on it. Notice that different parts of the tongue are used. (this is also the reason why some babies have trouble with nipple confusion. Believe it or not, the number of children requiring braces has not gone down despite 20 years of nagging by all sorts of medical people that pacifiers are the cause and should be removed by age 1. Pacifier design has also changed. Genetics, mouth breathing and unconscious tongue thrust are the primary culprits for crooked teeth.
