Pacifiers and thumb sucking are self-soothing behaviors important to a child’s development and feeling of security. In the first few years of life, they do not affect your child’s teeth. However, if they still use them after their third birthday, talk to Dr. Forcioli about ways to minimize the habit. Once the permanent teeth come in, excessive use of a pacifier or thumb sucking may shift teeth out of alignment and lead to airway or breathing issues. For toddlers, this is not a concern.