I get what you’re saying about dentists sometimes making it sound like a ticking time bomb if your kid keeps the pacifier too long. I’ve been on the receiving end of those warnings, and honestly, it made me a nervous wreck. My daughter’s dentist kept bringing up “open bite” and “jaw development” until I was losing sleep over it. But then again, my own teeth were a mess as a kid and I never touched a pacifier—just genetics, like you said.
I do worry about the substitutes, though. When my youngest quit the binky (we did the gradual snip method too), she started chewing on her sleeves constantly. It drove me nuts because I was convinced she’d ruin her teeth some other way or end up with all her shirts destroyed. Did anyone else’s kid start biting or chewing things? I’m still not sure if that’s better or worse than the pacifier... Sometimes it feels like there’s no way to win with these habits.
That sleeve-chewing phase is so real—I remember my niece doing the same thing after she gave up her pacifier. It’s tough not to worry, especially when you hear all those warnings about teeth and jaw stuff. But honestly, most kids find some way to self-soothe, whether it’s a pacifier, thumb, or their shirt cuffs. I get why you’d feel stuck between two not-great choices, but I think these habits usually pass with time. Genetics definitely play a part too... sometimes we stress over things that just work themselves out.
But honestly, most kids find some way to self-soothe, whether it’s a pacifier, thumb, or their shirt cuffs.
This hits home—my youngest went from binky to chewing on her hoodie strings. I remember worrying about her teeth too, especially since I had braces as a kid. Our dentist just said, “Pick your battles,” and honestly, she outgrew the habit way before it did any damage. Sometimes it’s just a waiting game.
