PHEW...

Mom got an email from BabyCenter.com on this and I was Super excited to read it. Hopefully this means paci can stick around for awhile longer!!!

Is it true that sucking on a pacifier or thumb ruins a child's teeth or bite?

Expert Answers
The BabyCenter Editorial Team
No, not unless it continues into the preschool years.
It's perfectly healthy and natural for a baby to suck, and fingers or a pacifier can come in very handy for soothing. A child is most likely to enjoy thumb-sucking or a pacifier during the years when she has her baby teeth, and there's no reason to worry about long-term problems with the teeth or jaw at that point.
It's a good idea to discourage thumb-sucking and pacifier use before your child gets permanent teeth, though. Continued sucking after that time can lead to problems with the front teeth tipping outward or not developing properly.
Permanent teeth usually start showing up by age 4 to 6, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents help children put a stop to these habits by age 3. (For help with the pacifier, see ten ways to banish the binky.)
If your child enjoys sucking on a pacifier or her fingers, talk with her dentist. He can monitor her jaw and teeth to make sure that they're developing properly.
One thing that's bad for your child's teeth at any age: dipping that pacifier in something sweet.


I LOVE PACI'S!!!
Love,
Kate
xoxo