Most parents pick a dummy based on what their baby will take, not what shape it is. Fair enough, when you're sleep-deprived and just want your baby settled, the last thing on your mind is dental terminology. But the shape of the dummy sitting in your baby's mouth for hours a day is doing more than soothing them. It's pressing against gums, palate and tongue at exactly the age when all three are still forming, and the wrong shape can leave a mark that lasts well past the newborn stage.
The short answer
Cherry-shaped dummies, the ones with a round, bulbous end and a narrow neck, are the most common style on shelves, but they're also the shape dental professionals raise the most concerns about. Over months of regular use, the round neck can prop the jaw open and the bulb can press against the palate, which is linked to open bites, buck teeth, cross-bites and even speech difficulties like a lisp. Orthodontic dummies, with a flatter, wider end and a thinner neck, are designed specifically to avoid this. Minbie's patented orthodontic shape goes further again, and this post walks through exactly why.
Cherry vs. orthodontic: what's actually different
There are two main dummy shapes on the market. A cherry dummy has a round, bulbous end with a narrow neck where it meets the shield. An orthodontic dummy has a flatter, wider end, with the part that sits between the gums being flatter too. At a glance the difference looks minor. Under the surface, it changes how much pressure is placed on your baby's jaw, palate and tongue every single time they suckle.
Problem 1: It can push teeth toward an open bite, or buck teeth
The round neck of a cherry dummy sits directly between the front gums and props the jaw open. Over time, that constant pressure can lead to an open bite, where the upper and lower front teeth don't meet even when your baby's mouth is closed. It's also one of the most common causes of buck teeth, since the bulbous end pushes the upper gums outward as your baby grows.
A thinner, flatter neck removes that constant wedge. It lets the upper and lower jaw sit closer together while your baby soothes, supporting more natural jaw alignment instead of working against it.
Problem 2: It can narrow the palate, causing a cross-bite (and affect speech)
A round bulb sitting against the roof of the mouth isn't passive. Over months of use, it can cause the palate to arch higher and the upper jaw to narrow, which can result in a cross-bite, where the top teeth sit inside the bottom teeth instead of outside them. Because the tongue needs room to move nimbly against the palate to form sounds like "s" and "t", a narrowed palate can also contribute to speech difficulties like a lisp later on.
A wider, flatter shape encourages the palate to develop naturally, supporting straighter teeth and clearer speech development down the track.
Problem 3: It can restrict tongue movement and interfere with breastfeeding
Cherry dummies tend to push the tongue down and back, forcing it to sit low in the mouth. That restricts its natural movement and can encourage a "chomping" motion during soothing, rather than the soft, active suckling motion used at the breast, which can make it harder to switch between dummy and breast.
A shorter, flatter design brings the soothing motion forward instead, closer to a natural breastfeeding latch. That supports comfortable breastfeeding and helps keep the airway clear while your baby is using it.
At a glance: cherry dummy vs. Minbie's patented orthodontic shape
| Cherry Dummy | Minbie Patented Orthodontic | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Gums & Teeth | Round neck props jaw open, risking an open bite or buck teeth | Flatter neck supports natural alignment & relaxed soothing |
| Palate Shape | Bulb narrows the palate, risking a cross-bite & lisp | Wide palate for good posture, straight teeth & clear speech |
| Airways & Soothing | Pushes tongue down, can cause chomping on the breast | Natural tongue motion supports breastfeeding & open airways |
Why Minbie's shape was engineered this way
Minbie's flatter, wider, patented orthodontic shape was designed to distribute pressure evenly across the gums instead of wedging the jaw open. The shield, the part that sits outside your baby's mouth, is also shallower than most other dummies, which keeps it away from your baby's nose and makes it a comfortable option even for premature babies who need something extra gentle.
Every Minbie dummy is one-piece, hypoallergenic, medical-grade silicone, so there are no hidden seams or crevices for bacteria to collect in, and it can be sterilised thoroughly in one minute. Designed in Australia, it's built to support your baby's natural development from the very first latch to the last day you use it.
What other parents say
"My baby loves the Minbie dummy! I brought so many before she was born and with her being born early she was struggling with dummies but she attached to your dummy straight away!" - Madison
"She took to it right away. It's lower under her nose than other dummies which means it doesn't rub her nose." - Lauren
"A lifesaver, they've been great, the only dummy he likes! The midwives at the hospital loved it too." - Courtney
Frequently asked questions
Is a cherry dummy bad for my baby's teeth? Not automatically, but regular, long-term use of a cherry-shaped dummy is linked to a higher risk of an open bite, buck teeth or cross-bite compared with an orthodontic shape, because of the constant pressure the round bulb places on the jaw and palate.
What makes a dummy "orthodontic"? An orthodontic dummy has a flatter, wider end and a thinner neck than a traditional cherry dummy, which is designed to reduce pressure on the jaw and palate and support more natural oral development.
Can a cherry dummy really cause buck teeth? Yes, over time. The bulbous end of a cherry dummy can push the upper gums outward as your baby grows, which is one of the more common causes of buck teeth linked to dummy use.
Is the Minbie dummy orthodontic? Yes. Minbie's patented orthodontic shape is flatter and wider than a standard cherry dummy, with a thinner neck designed to support natural jaw, palate and airway development.
When should I stop using a dummy? Most dental changes linked to dummy use, regardless of shape, tend to resolve on their own if the habit stops by around age two. The earlier you can transition to a lower-pressure shape like Minbie's, the less correction is likely to be needed later.
Give your baby's smile the best shape to grow into
The shape you choose now is doing more than settling your baby tonight. Minbie's patented orthodontic design was built to soothe without working against your baby's teeth, palate or airway while it does it.
Shop the Minbie Dummy and give your baby's smile room to develop naturally.
This post shares general information about dummy shape and oral development. It isn't medical advice. If you have specific concerns about your baby's teeth, palate or feeding, please speak with your dentist, GP or a lactation consultant.