While pacifiers are traditionally meant to comfort infants, some members of Gen Z have started adopting them as stress-relief tools or sleep aids.
Pacifiers are generally recommended for babies under the age of two, and prolonged use can affect oral and speech development. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, children should ideally stop using them by the age of four to avoid long-term dental complications.
Despite these recommendations, the trend has extended to adults, many of whom share videos and posts online about the perceived calming benefits of pacifiers.
The practice has been particularly popular in China, where online retailers have sold pacifiers ranging from 10 yuan ($1.40) to 500 yuan ($70). Some users report that pacifiers help them relax during stressful workdays or manage symptoms of ADHD and nicotine withdrawal.
“When I am stressed, I use a pacifier and it makes me feel safe, almost like going back to childhood,” one individual told local media. Others have described the habit as a way to avoid restlessness during attempts to quit smoking.
However, health professionals caution that prolonged use of pacifiers in adulthood can negatively affect oral health.
“There is a reason adults don’t use pacifiers or baby bottles,” orthodontist Dr. Ben Winters explained in an interview with The New York Post. “Extended use can disrupt bite patterns and swallowing functions.”
Experts warn that frequent pacifier use in adults can cause an ‘open bite’, a condition where the upper and lower teeth fail to align when the mouth is closed. This occurs because pressure from the pacifier pushes teeth out of their natural position. For children, these issues may correct themselves as their jaws grow, but for adults, treatment often requires orthodontic intervention such as braces.
Another concern is the development of a tongue thrust pattern, where the tongue presses forward against the teeth while swallowing. Although this reflex is common in babies, in adults it can contribute to dental and speech difficulties.
“These concerns highlight why pacifiers are not suitable for adults,” Dr. Winters added. “I would not recommend making it a regular habit.”
As alternatives, specialists suggest healthier coping mechanisms such as chewing sugar-free gum, using fidget tools, or stress balls. In cases where self-soothing habits become overwhelming, therapy or stress management techniques may provide more sustainable solutions.