Dentists Warn: The Viral Adult Pacifier Trend Could Be Damaging Your Teeth
Just like small daily habits can transform your life, consistent dental habits can create a lifetime of confident, healthy smiles. Learn more in The Habit Method.
The internet loves a good trend—especially one that promises relaxation or stress relief. Recently, however, a new viral phenomenon known as the adult pacifier trend has caught the attention of dentists worldwide. Promoted by some social media creators as a quirky way to manage anxiety and promote calm, the habit comes with serious oral health concerns. Dental professionals are now cautioning adults to think twice before joining the bandwagon, warning that the short-term comfort of sucking on a pacifier could lead to long-term dental damage.
What Is the Adult Pacifier Trend and Why It’s Going Viral
Videos featuring adults using pacifiers have been circulating on TikTok and other platforms, often under hashtags related to self-soothing or stress relief. Users claim that pacifiers help them relax, sleep better, or manage anxiety in a playful, comforting way. Some even describe the behavior as an “inner child” activity tied to emotional healing. The pacifier trend TikTok movement has surged among millennials and Gen Z adults, gaining millions of views in a matter of weeks.
While social media can normalize beneficial health behaviors—such as mindfulness and better oral hygiene—dentists warn that trends involving repetitive pressure on the teeth or jaw can cause lasting harm. Unlike fidget toys or breathing exercises, sucking motions can shift the position of teeth, strain the jaw, and alter a person’s bite alignment over time.
Dentist Explains How Adult Pacifiers Can Damage Teeth and Jaw
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), prolonged sucking motions—common in infants but not physiologically appropriate for adults—can distort the normal balance between the tongue, jaw, and teeth. — American Dental Association, 2024
Dr. Jane Harrison, DDS, explains that adult pacifier use is not harmless: “Repeated suction forces can create abnormal stress on the jaw joints and alter tooth positioning. These effects are similar to what we see in children with extended pacifier or thumb-sucking habits.”
- Tooth misalignment: Continuous suction can cause front teeth to move outward, leading to gaps or open bites. These changes often require orthodontic correction.
- Jaw strain and TMJ discomfort: Maintaining suction activates muscles around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Over time, this can result in jaw clicking, stiffness, or discomfort.
- Bite changes and enamel wear: Sucking motions can push certain teeth out of alignment, altering the bite and increasing enamel friction or premature wear.
Clinical studies on adults are limited, but extrapolations from pediatric and orthodontic research show that these mechanical forces are strong enough to reshape dental arches. — Bishara SE, “Oral Habits and Their Effects,” Angle Orthodontist, 2023
Short-Term Comfort vs. Long-Term Oral Health Risks
Pacifiers may give a brief sense of security, which can feel soothing in a stressful world, but the oral damage they cause may far outweigh the temporary relief. Dentists note that stress-relief tools should not challenge the structural integrity of your teeth. There’s an important difference between relaxing the mouth and putting the teeth under repetitive suction pressure.
For decades, pediatric dentists have helped families wean children off pacifiers by the age of two or three to prevent dental malocclusion. The same biological reasoning applies to adults: our teeth are stable but can shift with chronic pressure. The longer an individual uses a pacifier, the greater the risk of permanent dental movement that may require braces or aligner therapy to correct. — American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2023
Moreover, sucking can reduce saliva flow during use, leaving the mouth drier. Since saliva naturally neutralizes acids and supports a healthy microbiome, less saliva means higher susceptibility to cavities and enamel erosion.
Better Alternatives to Reduce Stress Without Harming Your Teeth
If stress relief is the goal, there are far more sustainable and oral health-friendly ways to achieve it. Dentists recommend exploring alternatives that relax the mind without applying pressure to the jaw or teeth:
- Breathing exercises and mindfulness: Deep breathing calms the nervous system and helps relieve tension around the jaw.
- Stress balls or fidget tools: These satisfy the physical need to fidget without affecting dental structures.
- Hydration and oral relaxation: Keeping water nearby helps maintain a healthy mouth and reduces dry-mouth discomfort sometimes mistaken for anxiety.
- Professional mental wellness support: Speaking with a counselor or therapist can address underlying anxiety more effectively than oral substitutes.
- Regular dental checkups: Many people subconsciously clench their jaw under stress. A dentist can recommend nightguards or relaxation techniques to prevent damage.
Incorporating these methods aligns with a holistic view of health: physical comfort, emotional clarity, and dental wellness can coexist when habits are aligned with evidence and mindfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can using an adult pacifier really change the shape of my teeth?
Yes. Continuous sucking motion can apply enough pressure to push teeth forward or open gaps between them. This effect, known as an open bite, can lead to speech difficulties and difficulty chewing.
2. Are adult pacifiers ever recommended by dentists?
No reputable dentist recommends adult pacifiers for stress relief. Any potential calming benefit is outweighed by the risk of enamel wear, jaw strain, and tooth misalignment.
3. How is adult pacifier use similar to childhood habits like thumb-sucking?
Both involve repetitive oral suction forces that disrupt the natural equilibrium of the jaw and teeth. Just like thumb-sucking, adult pacifier use can alter bite alignment over time.
4. What should I do if I’m using one and want to stop?
Begin by identifying triggers—stress, boredom, or anxiety—and replace the habit with healthier coping mechanisms such as breathing exercises, chewing sugar-free gum, or mindfulness activities. Your dentist can also help develop a gradual plan to break the habit.
5. If my teeth already feel misaligned, can the damage be reversed?
In most cases, yes. Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or braces can correct minor to moderate misalignment. However, early intervention is key, so schedule an examination if you notice shifting or discomfort.
Final Thoughts: Listen to Dental Experts Before Following Viral Trends
While the adult pacifier trend may appear harmless on social media, dental evidence tells a different story. What starts as a soothing habit can subtly alter tooth positioning, compromise your bite, and create jaw pain that lasts for years. As Dr. Harrison notes, “Our oral structures are designed for balance, not constant suction.” Protecting that balance is one of the best gifts you can give your future self.
Remember, true self-care protects both mental peace and physical well-being. Consider choosing habits that support health from every angle, starting with a commitment to your smile and your daily rhythm of mindful care.
Discover more about building powerful, positive habits for lifelong wellness in The Habit Method.
Post Disclaimer
DentalUp is for educational purposes only and cannot accept personal dental information such as x-rays, photos, or treatment details. See full disclaimer here.
