Soothers or dummies (pacifiers in the USA) play an important role in the development of a baby's teeth and gums. However, with literally hundreds of makes and types available on the market, choosing which one is best is confusing.
The most expensive models are not necessarily the best while cheaper types may be doing more harm than good. Soothers should only be used for the first year of a baby's life as prolonged use can result in dependency on the device and can also cause dental issues.
When choosing a soother some important considerations are:
- The quality of material used
- Whether it is BPA-free (bisphenol-A has been linked with endocrine disorders including diabetes)
- Whether it is one-piece, which limits the cracks and crevices where bacteria can thrive, or multi-part
Orthodontic soothers, which are labelled as such, are the types most often recommended by a dentist as they support proper jaw and teeth development and are a more natural fit to a baby's mouth.
Knowing when to start a baby on a soother and when the practise should be stopped are crucial to their correct usage. You can find more detailed information at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/are-some-pacifiers-better-than-others-for-a-childs-oral-health/