THE PROBLEM
Substituting a pacifier or a baby bottle for the mother’s breast to soothe the baby is common in western countries (75 to 85% of infants). More importantly, studies have shown that using a pacifier during sleep reduces the chances of a baby suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 90%. However, extensive research have shown conclusively that oral, nasal, and throat dysfunctions are highly correlated with suckling habits, which are caused by the use of artificial nipples during child hood.
Studies have identified a range of health problems that stem from the use of artificial nipples:
Feeding interruption
High palate & soft palate
Speech disorder
Sleep apnea & snoring
Upper airway obstruction
Ear infection
Mouth breathing: high cavity index
Interruption of breathing while feeding
Crooked teeth: constriction of the dental arch, crossbite, openbite, crowding, impacted teeth, flaring of the front teeth
Watch this video from Delta Dental that shows how thumb sucking and pacifiers impacts oral health:
THE SOLUTION
Dr. Seunghee Lee, the founder of Orolux, has developed Dentometrics™- a morphometric study of the human dental arch as an anatomical entity of the facial-cranial structures. Dentometrics defines the dental arch as an anatomical structure integrated into nose, ear, and throat. A geometric pattern was developed to mathematically describe teeth alignment into the arch form. This pattern identifies the evolutionary arch proportion which helps measure the degree of deformation from the natural form. This can easily explain the teeth misalignment in relation to the roof of the mouth, the floor of the nasal cavity, and the position of the soft palate, that leads to the clinical problems discussed.
Brings lip and tongue forward
Pushes the corner of the lips away, retracting the tongue back ward
Based on this novel scientific analysis, Orolux developed a revolutionary new pacifier called Paciflow. While current pacifiers and bottle nipples are shaped in a way that distorts the normal anatomical configuration and lead to teeth misalignment, Paciflow mimics the anatomy and physiology of the mom’s breast. The unique patent-pending shape of Paciflow pacifiers promotes the normal anatomical growth of the oral and nasal cavities through correct coordination of the breathing and feeding mechanisms. Paciflow’s other benefits include a reduction in the accidental and frequent swallowing during feeding, which can cause insufficient delivery of oxygen, gas pain, and vomiting through nose.
Paciflow is intended for use during early pre-teething stage - by engaging the proper development of the oral-nasal and pharyngeal structures during critical early development, it will prevent deformation and dysfunction at later stages.