During a child's first few years, sucking habits probably won't damage his or her mouth. But frequent and long-term sucking can cause problems. This is especially true if the habit continues after baby teeth start to fall out. Long-term sucking can cause...
- The top front teeth to slant out
- The bottom front teeth to tilt in
- The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned
- The roof of the mouth to be narrower side to side
Here are some very clever ways to help your child give up the paci and avoid any serious dental problems in the future.
1. TIE IT TO A BALLOON
Tell your child you're sending it to explore space, or to live on a cloud, depending on which you think he'll buy.
2. TRADE IT IN FOR A TOY
If he gathers up all his pacis, he can pick out any toy (maybe limit it to one he can carry himself!). Be sure to warn the cashier that he'll be "paying" in pacis while you slip her your credit card.
3. SEND IT TO A NEW BABY
It can be a relative or the infant of whatever distant friend most recently sent you an announcement. Say, "Look! A new baby - that means she needs your pacis, since you're a big kid now."
4. LEAVE IT FOR THE PACI FAIRY
She's friends with the tooth fairy, and brings prizes.
5. BURY IT
If you can slip some marigold seeds in there, he'll think his paci sprouted flowers.
6. DECLARE BIG KID DAY
It's in two weeks, and every day from now until then is a big, exciting countdown to the day he puts away the paci and gets cake and ice cream.
7. ADD IT TO A BUILD-A-BEAR
Have them sew it right inside, so your child knows he can still have it nearby.
8. BRING IT TO THE FIRE STATION
Or the doctor: The key is to tell your child that they collect pacis from big kids. They'll play along.
9. PHASE IT OUT
First, you allow it only in the car and at home. Then, only at home. Then, only at bedtime. Then, only as he's falling asleep (you have to sneak it out of the room when he's sleeping and it's fallen out). Then, you have to hope he doesn't care about it quite so much.
10. THROW IT OUT
When all else fails, round up every one you can find, and stuff them in the garbage in the dead of night.
Sources: Colgate and Parenting.com
