Pacifiers, Thumb Sucking, and Tiny Teeth: What Parents Need to Know

September 16, 2025

Babies start sucking their thumbs before birth—it’s a natural reflex that helps with feeding and soothing. Pacifiers and thumb sucking are normal early on, but timing matters for healthy teeth and jaws.

Pacifiers: Helpful but Temporary

Pacifiers can comfort babies and may even reduce the risk of SIDS during sleep. If breastfeeding, wait until feeding is well established (about 3–4 weeks) before introducing one.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes that pacifier use should ideally end by age 3 to avoid problems like open bites, crooked teeth, or changes in jaw growth.

At our practice, we recommend beginning to wean around the first birthday. By age 1, babies are ready to focus more on chewing foods, making new sounds, and moving away from the suck-swallow reflex. This earlier transition supports jaw growth, oral function, and speech development.

The Frida Pacifier Weaning System—developed by a pediatric dentist—offers a step-by-step way to gently help toddlers give up the pacifier.

Thumb Sucking: Natural but Watch the Timing

Most children stop thumb sucking between ages 2–4. The AAPD cautions that if the habit continues beyond age 4—especially if it’s frequent or forceful—it can affect how the teeth and jaws develop.

In our practice, we encourage families to aim for thumb sucking to be finished by around age 3. This is case by case—some children transition earlier, and others may need a little more time. However, prolonged thumb sucking can sometimes be a sign of oral motor dysfunction. In those cases, we want to involve an orofacial myofunctional therapist (OMT) early to support healthy oral function and stop the habit before it affects bite, jaw growth, or speech.

Extended thumb or pacifier use can also cause the front teeth to flare forward. Not only does this change the bite, but it also makes teeth more vulnerable to injury if a child falls or has an accident.

Encouraging Chewing Around 6 Months

When solids begin (around 6 months), chewing takes on a much bigger role in oral development. It’s important to encourage chewing early, not just for nutrition, but to support healthy oral function.

Teething toys and baby-led weaning help babies explore chewing safely.
The Myomunchee is a dentist-designed chewing device that strengthens the jaw, improves tongue coordination, and encourages correct swallowing patterns.
Dr. Milca loves the Myomunchee for its early-life benefits. It can be introduced around 6 months, alongside solids, to support chewing, swallowing, and speech development. Unlike pacifiers, the Myomunchee is not a habit to “wean” from—it’s a positive tool for oral development that can continue to be used as children grow.
Chewing with tools like the Myomunchee supports airway health, facial growth, and naturally helps move kids away from sucking habits.

When to Get Extra Help

Sometimes, if habits linger well beyond what’s expected, it can signal oral motor dysfunction. That’s when an evaluation by an orofacial myofunctional therapist (OMT) may help.

Trusted colleagues we refer to include:

Well Beyond Pediatric Therapy
OMT of York
Valley OMT
Berks MyoSpot

Helping Kids Let Go

Aim for: pacifier gone by age 1 (practice recommendation); thumb sucking gone by around age 3, though this may vary case by case.
Stay positive: lots of praise for small steps.
Notice patterns: if sucking happens when a child is tired or anxious, offer other comforts like extra snuggles or quiet time.
Consider tools: The Frida Weaning System (for pacifiers) and the Myomunchee (for chewing and oral development, starting at ~6 months) can smooth the transition.