The use of adult pacifiers is the new trend in China, where adults are increasingly turning to the giant dummies to alleviate stress and to get to bed. Positioned as a relaxing device, such pacifiers are sold online between approximately $1.40 and $70 dollars with some distributors selling thousands every month. According to their supporters, they offer psychological comfort, facilitate smoking cessation, and help relieve anxiety by conjuring up a feeling of childhood security. But there are medical warnings that the prolonged usage may result in serious health problems such as the effects of the dentals, jaw misalignment, infection and breathing difficulties.

What Are China’s Adult Pacifiers?

Adult pacifiers are silicone or rubber, a larger form of a baby dummy intended to be used by adults. As contrasted with pacifiers for babies, they fit into adult mouths and are being marketed as devices to relieve stress, get better sleep, and quit smoking. The fad has swept e-commerce platforms in China, and now videos of grown-ups sucking on pacifiers have become globally viral on Chinese social networking. Such benefits purchased by buyers include being relaxed in the workplace when stressed, or experiencing the ability to fight off cigarettes.

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Health Risks of China’s Adult Pacifiers

Although this trend is quite popular, doctors are throwing up red flags concerning this trend. Sucking on pacifiers used by adults, particularly for three hours or more a day, may have a severe impact on oral health. According to Dr. Tang Caomin, a Sichuan dentist, prolonged wearing may force teeth out of position, alter jaw shape and roof angle and leave painful spots when chewing. The other risk is infection due to the consistent oral irritation.

Breathing difficulties are another serious issue. Pacifiers used when sleeping may slow down breathing and even choke when the parts become loose, and this is a life-threatening situation. Health experts point out that the usage of such products may conceal existing stressful or anxious concerns rather than dealing with them in a healthy manner.

Psychological Perspective: Comfort vs Avoidance

Psychologists refer to this behaviour as a phenomenon of regression wherein the adults get relief through a subconscious need to revert to childhood ways. Though it feels fantastically good, the specialist advises that adult pacifiers can make a person avoid getting to terms with their stress and effectively confronting it. Such dependence on a pacifier can postpone the search for possible effective methods, like therapy or life alteration.

Global Spread and Social Media Influence

This trend began primarily in China, but it is spreading globally. Social media such as TikTok demonstrates the use of pacifiers among adults in the US and South Korea who experienced burnout, stress on the road, or sleeping difficulties. This shows an increasing need to surround ourselves with simple sources of comfort in an increasingly daunting world; however, medical professionals are sceptical as to the safety and consequences of habitual practice.

How to Stay Safe if Considering Use

If you are tempted to try an adult pacifier for stress relief, keep these points in mind:

Limit usage time to avoid dental and jaw problems.
Avoid sleeping with a pacifier in your mouth to prevent breathing issues.
Maintain proper oral hygiene to reduce infection risk.
Consider healthier, proven stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or professional help.

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Takeaway

The adult pacifier phenomenon in China places an eye on the ways of coping with an increasing level of stress and anxiety by adults in search of the comfort of vintage habits. Though it can give temporary relief, it presents actual dangers to oral health, as well as the safety of breathing. In the long run, the dependence could also be a detriment to even better emotional care. Knowledge about the causes of stress and implementing strategies that take care of body and mind in a safe manner is the optimal route to good health.

What Are China’s Adult Pacifiers? Exploring Its Serious Health Concerns