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To use or not to use a dummy – it’s a question endlessly debated on parenting blogs and baby forums. Some believe they should never be used, but most frown upon children above the age of two or three sucking on them.
It’s not just babies using them, though. Despite still being relatively niche, some adults use dummies, most commonly referred to as “soothers”. Some are designed specifically for nighttime, others are bedazzled, but they’re all clearly for adult use.
Soothers or dummies specifically designed for adults can be used for a variety of purposes but dental experts warn against their long-term use.Credit: Aresna Villanueva
If three is considered “too old” by some to be using a dummy, what does this mean for the adults using them? There are several reasons why older people may use soothers – reasons that are gradually becoming better understood.
Aren’t dummies just for babies?
Some babies are given dummies as self-soothing tools since the sucking motion mimics breastfeeding, a comforting act for infants. Psychologist Carly Dober says soothers could, in theory, also comfort adults, though she notes it’ll probably only be effective in short bursts.
Soothers are more likely to help those with oral habits, such as smoking, nail-biting or excessive chewing.
“People trying to cease smoking find it helpful to have a habit to swap to, and even better when it’s something they can use with their mouth … This would not be the case for all people, but some might find it quite helpful.”
President of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc Sahra O’Doherty says adult soothers are less about stress reduction and more about managing sensory needs.
“Adult soothers have been around for quite some time, but they’ve recently been marketed as stimming objects for people who are neurodiverse. They might be engaging in repetitive behaviours that may require movement or additional stimulation. So, having something at hand to chew on, for instance, is a lot healthier than grinding one’s teeth.”
People can now choose a stimming object that works best for their specific sensory needs, O’Doherty says, whether that’s a soother, a fidget spinner, or any item that suits.
Why are baby dummies controversial?
Dummies can be helpful for babies under the age of about 12 months before they learn other techniques of self-soothing, Dober says.
However, some parents worry that dummies could impede their child’s speech and communication skills, or cause misalignment in their teeth and jaw in the future. Additionally, there are concerns around children’s possible dependency on dummies (for example, needing them to fall asleep), and they have also been linked to slightly higher rates of middle ear infections.
Are there downsides?
According to an Australian Dental Association spokesperson, prolonged use of soothers could cause teeth to move, and even impact the jaw joints.
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“The ADA would discourage prolonged use as they could start to push out front teeth and cause misalignment issues,” it says.
This is, however, largely dependent on how the soother is used, says spokesperson for the Australian Orthodontist Society Dr Theresia Sudjalim.
“It depends on your posture, the shape of the pacifier [dummy], and how you place your jaw when using it. Some people jut their jaw forward to get more of a suction movement. Others keep their jaw in a resting position ... In those cases, the functional bite usually doesn’t change much, but it’s likely the teeth might become more crooked or protrusive.”
In terms of the jaw, Sudjalim compares it to only ever wearing high heels. “It’ll make a difference in how you posture yourself and how the muscles work.”
She suggests limiting dummy use to less than 30 minutes a day and avoiding using them overnight.
Like toothbrushes, dummies can also develop bacteria and cause fungal infections in the mouth if not cleaned properly. Sudjalim says they must be regularly disinfected.
Adult dummies have become a fixture in the music festival and rave scenes.Credit: Andy Zakeli
Dober says there’s a risk of becoming dependent on soothers, so they shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution for stress reduction.
“We would want people to explore different strategies that help reduce stress, anxiety or emotional dysregulation, such as movement, talking to friends or family, journaling, meditation, engaging with mental health professionals, or other … creative outlets,” Dober says.
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Could we see more adults using them?
There’s stigma around adult soothers. Sudjalim says she often notices changes in a patient’s arch shape and asks if they’re using a soother, but they won’t immediately disclose it.
“They generally only tell the orthodontist once they establish trust because they don’t want to
be judged,” she says.
This stigma largely comes from its association with certain age regression sexual kinks, but also normative standards based on age.
“There are distinct behaviours we consider acceptable for young kids that aren’t as acceptable for older kids, and behaviours that are normalised in adolescence, but frowned upon in adulthood,” O’Doherty says.
“It’s similar to how we have social standards around how we dress … We may do a double-take when people don’t behave in a socially normative way.”
However, O’Doherty says the stigma is slowly easing as we learn more about neurodiversity.
“There’s much more awareness around how different kinds of sensory toys can help. If people continue to genuinely benefit from it, there will always be a market for it.”
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