A dummy is one of the most commonly used items in early childhood and, for many parents, it is almost an unavoidable part of everyday life. In the first months of life, it often makes it easier for a child to fall asleep, soothes the child during moments of restlessness and helps create a feeling of security. For this reason, its use does not usually cause concern at first, but is seen as a practical and useful solution.
However, as the child grows, the attitude towards the dummy begins to change. What had a clear function in the early stage can, over time, develop into a habit that lasts longer than it should. This is when questions begin to arise about its effect on the development of the teeth and jaws, as well as when the right time is to stop using it.
It is important to emphasise straight away that a dummy is not harmful in itself. The problem does not lie in its existence, but in the way it is used and how long it is used for. In other words, the key question is not whether a child should have a dummy, but how long and in which situations they use it.
What is a dummy and what function does it have in early development
The need to suck in infants is not connected exclusively with feeding. It is an innate reflex that plays an important role in soothing and regulating emotional state. Through sucking, the child reduces tension, relaxes more easily and moves into sleep. This is precisely why many babies spontaneously reach for a thumb or other objects if a dummy is not available.
In this context, a dummy can have a functional role, but only if it is used purposefully, rather than continuously. The difference between these two approaches is essential for understanding its impact.
For example, when putting a child to sleep, a dummy can help the child calm down and establish a sleep routine. In such situations, it has a clear purpose and does not place a burden on the development of the oral cavity, especially if it is not used throughout the entire night.
On the other hand, if a child uses a dummy during the day, while playing, communicating or exploring their surroundings, it stops having a soothing function and becomes a constant stimulus in the mouth. This pattern of use carries the greatest risk for the development of the teeth and jaws.
It is also important to distinguish a dummy from thumb sucking. Although the two patterns seem similar, a dummy has one important advantage – it can be controlled and gradually removed, whereas the habit of thumb sucking is much harder to stop.
How a dummy affects the development of children’s teeth and jaws
The development of the jaws and the position of the teeth in early childhood is extremely sensitive to external influences. The bones are softer, and the structures that determine the bite are still forming. During this period, repeated pressures, even mild ones, can affect the direction of growth in the long term.
A dummy acts through continuous contact with the palate, teeth and surrounding tissues. When used occasionally, this effect is minimal and generally has no lasting consequences. However, with prolonged use, changes can occur that are not immediately visible, but gradually begin to show over time.
One of the first changes concerns the position of the tongue. Instead of naturally resting against the palate, the tongue drops and adapts to the presence of the dummy. This shift changes the way the jaw grows and how the teeth position themselves.
At the same time, the front teeth may begin to take on an unnatural position. At first this may look like slight separation, but over time it can develop into a more pronounced bite problem.
These changes do not happen suddenly. They are the result of daily repetition of the same habit, often unnoticed until they become visible.
When a dummy becomes a problem (and how parents actually notice it)
In theory, it is easy to say that a dummy becomes a problem after a certain age. In practice, parents rarely think in these categories. What they notice are not “orthodontic irregularities”, but small changes that gradually begin to appear.
For example, a child who previously used a dummy only for sleep starts asking for it during the day as well. At first this seems harmless – the child calms down more quickly, cries less and copes more easily with changes in routine. But over time, the dummy becomes constantly present.
This is where the first change occurs, and it is more important than it may seem: the child uses their mouth less often for speech, exploration and play, and more often to maintain the habit.
At that point, we can already speak of a transition from functional use to a habit that has the potential to affect development.
Parents often describe the situation like this:
- “If I take the dummy out, he immediately asks for it”
- “He can’t manage without it, even while playing”
- “He only calms down when he has it in his mouth”
These are clear signs that the dummy is no longer a tool, but a dominant pattern of behaviour.
There are three key factors that determine whether a dummy will become a problem:
- time (the child’s age)
- frequency of use
- duration during the day and night
But it is important to interpret this properly. Not as dry categories, but through real situations.
Time (the child’s age)
In the first year of life, a dummy rarely causes problems because the changes are reversible. After the second year, the situation changes. If the child is still actively using a dummy, the risk of an impact on jaw growth begins to increase.
After the third year, this risk is no longer theoretical, but becomes clinically relevant.
Frequency of use
There is a big difference between a child who uses a dummy for 20 minutes before sleep and a child who has it in their mouth for most of the day.
The first is a controlled habit, while the second is continuous pressure on structures that are still developing.
Duration (especially at night)
Parents often think that a dummy during the night is not a problem because the child is asleep. However, it is precisely then that the dummy can remain in the mouth for hours without interruption.
This means:
- constant contact with the palate
- continuous pressure on the teeth
- passive, but prolonged action
And this is often a factor that is completely overlooked.
What the changes actually look like (without medical terms)
Most parents do not come to the dentist saying: “I think my child has an open bite.”
They come with something much more concrete:
- “His teeth don’t touch at the front”
- “It looks as if there is a gap that wasn’t there before”
- “His mouth is always slightly open”
These are real, everyday descriptions of what dentistry calls bite changes.
One of the most common situations is that the front teeth no longer come into contact. When the child closes the mouth, a space remains between the upper and lower teeth. This is a typical consequence of prolonged dummy use.
In other cases, the upper jaw can become narrower, which may later appear as irregular eruption of the permanent teeth or the need for orthodontic treatment.
It is important to emphasise something that often brings parents relief: if the dummy is removed in time, many of these changes can correct themselves spontaneously
But “in time” is the key phrase.
Dummy use and tooth decay – where the problem actually begins
There is one common misconception here: that the dummy itself causes tooth decay.
It does not.
The problem arises through the habits that develop around it.
The most common scenarios that increase the risk:
- dipping the dummy in honey or sugar
- giving the dummy after sweetened drinks
- using the dummy without regular cleaning
- keeping the dummy in the mouth throughout the night
The combination of dummy + sugar + night is particularly problematic.
This leads to prolonged contact between the teeth and fermentable carbohydrates, creating ideal conditions for the development of tooth decay.
In practice, this often looks like this:
- A parent gives the child a dummy to help them fall asleep; the child has previously had milk or a sweetened drink, and the teeth have not been cleaned. During the night, saliva flow is not the same as during the day, which further increases the risk.
This is a concrete situation with real consequences, not theory.
Can a dummy affect speech development
The impact of a dummy on speech does not happen directly and suddenly, but through everyday behavioural patterns that are repeated over time. Parents often do not notice a problem until the child begins to lag behind in speech development or until certain sounds become unclear.
It is important to understand one simple fact: a child develops speech by using the mouth. If the mouth is often “occupied”, the space for that development is reduced.
In practice, this looks like the following.
A child who often has a dummy in their mouth:
- tries to pronounce words less often
- imitates sounds from the environment less
- uses simpler communication patterns
- relies more often on gestures instead of speech
This does not mean that every child who uses a dummy will have speech difficulties. However, the risk increases if the dummy is used during the day, especially during the period when speech develops intensively, most often between the second and third year of life.
In addition to the presence of the dummy itself, the position of the tongue is also important. When the dummy is in the mouth, the tongue drops and takes a different position from its natural one. This position can affect the pronunciation of certain sounds, especially those that require precise tongue control.
Parents most often notice this through:
- unclear pronunciation
- “softer” speech
- difficulty with certain sounds
In such situations, the dummy is not the only cause, but it is often one of the factors that contributes to the problem.
How to use a dummy without harmful consequences
Using a dummy does not necessarily have to lead to problems if clear rules are set. The key is not complete avoidance, but control.
The biggest difference between children who develop problems and those who do not lies in the way the dummy is used, not in the dummy itself.
In practice, this means the following.
A dummy makes sense when:
- it is used before sleep
- it helps with short-term soothing
- it is not constantly present in the mouth
- the child can function without it during the day
On the other hand, it becomes a problem when:
- the child cannot manage without it during play or communication
- the dummy is constantly in the mouth
- it is used as a response to every reaction from the child
- it replaces other ways of soothing
Another important point is the choice of dummy.
Parents often think that every dummy is the same, but differences do exist. Anatomically shaped dummies can better follow the shape of the palate and reduce pressure on certain parts of the oral cavity. This does not mean they are completely risk-free, but they may be a better choice than classic shapes.
Dummy hygiene also plays a major role. A dummy that is rarely cleaned or used for longer than recommended can become a source of bacteria, which further increases the risk of problems in the oral cavity.
When and how to wean a child off a dummy
Weaning a child off a dummy is often more emotionally demanding for parents than for the child. This is because the dummy represents security and routine, so any change may trigger resistance.
The ideal time to start weaning is between the second and third year of life. During this period, the child already has more developed self-soothing mechanisms and accepts changes more easily.
It is important that the process is not sudden.
Sudden removal of the dummy often leads to:
- increased crying
- frustration
- replacement of the dummy with other habits, such as thumb sucking
A gradual approach is therefore recommended.
Example of gradual weaning:
- first, the dummy is used only for sleep
- then it is removed from daytime activities
- after that, the time it is used in the evening is shortened
- finally, it is removed completely
This approach gives the child time to adapt and allows parents to remain in control of the process.
When to consult a dentist
In many cases, parents are not sure whether they should react or whether it is just a passing phase. This is exactly where a dental examination plays an important role.
There are clear situations in which it is advisable to seek a professional opinion.
These include:
- if the child uses a dummy after the age of three
- if a gap between the front teeth is noticed
- if the teeth do not come into contact
- if there is suspicion of bite irregularities
- if the child has speech difficulties
An early examination does not automatically mean treatment. In many cases, it is enough to remove the cause and monitor development.
The long-term impact of dummy use on a child’s oral health
A dummy can be a useful tool in early development, but only if it is used thoughtfully and in a limited way. When it becomes a constant habit, it begins to affect structures that are still developing, and the risk of changes requiring intervention increases.
It is important to emphasise that many changes can regress if the dummy is removed in time. This is precisely why a timely response is so valuable.
Parents often look for a clear answer to the question of whether a dummy is harmful. The accurate answer is that it depends on how it is used. In controlled conditions, it can be useful, while in uncontrolled use it can become a cause of problems.
The difference between these two scenarios does not lie in the dummy, but in the habit that develops around it.