If you have ever endured a full-blown temper tantrum because you
have forgotten to bring your child's pacifier with you when you
go out, you know how attached kids become to their beloved
"binkies." Pacifiers may have a thousand names, but their value
is the same: they provide comfort to infants and toddlers. When
Should Weaning Begin? The American Academy of Pediatrics
suggests that pacifier use be limited after six months of age
reduce the risk ear infections. According to the American Dental
Association, pacifier use should be actively discouraged after
four year of age, since it can cause dental problems. Reasons to
Wean Most pediatric dentists contend that using a pacifier
during the early years of development generally does not
permanently alter the position of the teeth or jaws. Some do
feel that pacifier use can cause the upper jaw to become a bit
deformed, causing the upper teeth to be misaligned. According to
California dentist Kim Loos, DDS, the amount of jaw deformation
depends on the amount of ti