Sharon Stern, DDS, PC

11/18/2024

Our Annual Halloween Candy Buy back has come to an end. Thank you to all the families who participated!
And a personal shout out to whoever was giving these treats out- you are my people!

03/31/2023

https://www.dea.gov/takebackday -locator

The Hoboken Police Department is collecting, but the link allows you to put in zip code most convenient to your location.

The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications fro...

03/17/2023

Fabulous pop up in Hoboken!

03/17/2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!🍀

03/14/2023

01/31/2023

You only have to floss the ones you want to keep!

11/01/2022

Hoboken Halloween never disappoints! 👻🎃💀

02/16/2022

When it's time to say good bye to binky...

Many babies and toddlers will suck on different things (like a thumb, pacifier, favorite toy...) as a comfort device. It is a natural way to self soothe and often helps them feel more secure when falling asleep.

While many children will become less interested by age two and self wean, sometimes the habit can be hard to break.

There can be dental issues if the sucking habit goes on for too long.

For the same reason that braces work to help straighten teeth- slow gentle pressure over time to guide the teeth into desired position- the pacifier can affect the teeth and the developing bone on the roof of the mouth (palate).

If the child stops using a pacifier by age 2, often the occlusion will self correct when the adult teeth start to form and come in.

Excessive thumb sucking or pacifier use can lead to the teeth flaring forward,(overbite) or the bite being open in the front (open bite) or even a narrowing of the roof of the mouth. Some of these issues, like buck teeth, may be inherited, but they can also be created by overuse.

Depending on how long, how hard, and how frequently the child sucks on fingers or binky, there can be other issues. As the child gets older, a malocclusion could affect speech and eating.

There are several opinions on the best age to stop pacifier use, but most experts agree that there is a rise in likelihood of needing orthodontics to correct dental issues especially after age 4 when the adult teeth start to form inside the jaws.

So...what to do?

Positive reinforcement- praise and encouragement for behaviors you want to see. Small rewards- like stickers- are often effective and let them know you are proud of their achievements!

Cutting a small hole or slit in the top of the pacifier often makes it less satisfying to suck on, and helps your kiddo to wean off.

The Paci Fairy- along the lines of the tooth fairy, leaving the paci under the pillow and finding a present in the morning can be a great motivator. (Check out The Paci Fairy by Melissa Burnett)

Giving paci to another baby- kids are wonderfully kind to other babies. I asked Rachel if she was ready to let the baby birds in the nest have a turn, and we put it up there together. (Please don't give paci to another child- far too germy!)

Some parents try cold turkey- but it can be a difficult couple of nights or weeks. You may want to consider weaning off naptime first, then the overnight time. Some children are emotionally attached to binky.

But whatever method you use, be patient.