Hung Man, Marx Jacob, Ward Corban, Schwartz Connor
College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA.
Division of Public Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
Dent J (Basel). 2025 Jul 14;13(7):319. doi: 10.3390/dj13070319.
: Pacifier use is a widespread soothing practice during infancy, but extended use has been linked to adverse dental outcomes, particularly malocclusion. This review aimed to evaluate the association between pacifier use and dental developmental issues in infants and toddlers and to identify key influencing factors. : A scoping review using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source was performed. Peer-reviewed, full-text articles published in English between 2014 and 2024 were screened by two independent reviewers using predefined criteria. Eligible studies were thematically analyzed. : From 262 records, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Pacifier use was consistently associated with an increased prevalence of malocclusions, including anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, and overjet. The risk and severity of dental issues were strongly influenced by the duration, frequency, and intensity of pacifier use. Prolonged use beyond three years significantly increased the likelihood of structural changes requiring intervention. : There is strong evidence linking pacifier use to negative dental developmental outcomes, particularly when use is prolonged or frequent. Early intervention, caregiver education, and timely weaning are critical to minimizing long-term oral health risks. Future research should explore pacifier design, objective measures of use, and how socioeconomic factors may influence pacifier use patterns and oral health outcomes. Understanding these relationships can support the development of more targeted and equitable prevention strategies.
使用安抚奶嘴是婴儿期一种广泛使用的安抚行为，但长期使用与不良牙齿问题有关，尤其是错颌畸形。本综述旨在评估婴儿和幼儿使用安抚奶嘴与牙齿发育问题之间的关联，并确定关键影响因素。：使用PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science以及牙科学与口腔科学资源库进行了一项范围综述。由两名独立评审员使用预定义标准筛选2014年至2024年期间以英文发表的同行评审全文文章。对符合条件的研究进行了主题分析。：从262条记录中，35项研究符合纳入标准。使用安抚奶嘴与错颌畸形患病率增加始终相关，包括前牙开颌、后牙反颌和覆盖。牙齿问题的风险和严重程度受到使用安抚奶嘴的持续时间、频率和强度的强烈影响。使用超过三年会显著增加需要干预的结构变化的可能性。：有强有力的证据表明使用安抚奶嘴与负面牙齿发育结果有关，尤其是在长期或频繁使用时。早期干预、照顾者教育和及时断奶对于将长期口腔健康风险降至最低至关重要。未来的研究应探索安抚奶嘴的设计、使用的客观测量方法，以及社会经济因素如何影响安抚奶嘴的使用模式和口腔健康结果。了解这些关系有助于制定更有针对性和公平的预防策略。
