My kids have always loved their pacifiers. We call them binkies around here. I am a self professed germophobe and I have to rant a little bit here. I absolutely cannot understand why parents, grandparents, relatives, friends…feel the need to suck on their child’s binky when it falls on the ground to “clean” it! Sucking on the child’s pacifier after it falls to the ground not only doesn’t clean it, it actually passing germs and bacteria from your mouth to the child’s mouth.
I understand that many mothers share all sorts of things with their kids, spoons, forks, cups, etc so you are passing bacteria and germs to your kids. This is one thing and if you choose to do that then that’s your choice. What drives me nuts is when people other than the child’s mother share their germs! Please don’t introduce foreign germs and bacteria to my child. A child’s immune system is not as strong as an adults and while you may not be sick you can carry germs that will cause the child to get sick.
Not only can you pass on illnesses to the child by sucking on their pacifier but you can also pass on cavities!
•Understand the causes of tooth decay. Most people aren’t aware that cavities are actually contagious. Children of cavity-free parents are less likely to get cavities. Why? The bacteria that consumes sugars and produces acid which eats tooth enamel does not occur naturally in our mouth. Cavity-causing bacteria is deposited in children’s mouths by their caregivers, parents and siblings.
•Get your cavities filled before you bring your baby home — and that goes for mothers, fathers, siblings, and anyone who will have frequent contact with the child. Even if you haven’t had a cavity for years, you still harbor the bacteria. Active cavities obviously mean more bacteria in your mouth. Getting them filled goes a long way to bringing down the level of bacteria in your mouth.
•Keep your child’s mouth free of the bacteria that causes cavities. Of course kisses are okay! But never share utensils or toothbrushes with your baby or child; never clean off a nipple or pacifier by licking it. If you test food for temperature, always do so with a separate portion or clean spoon.
•Educate caregivers about the risk of these practices as well.
So PLEASE don’t suck on a child’s binky whether it is your own child or someone else’s! There is my educational rant for the day and now I feel better 
Bulleted material taken from: How to Keep Your Kids Cavity-free eHow.com. I was not compensated in any way or asked by anyone to do this post. This is my rant and my topic of the day! I’m on a mission to get people to quit sucking on the kid’s binky!
OMG, I cannot agree with u more! When my daughter used her binkie, for much longer than she should have, I know this, but my MOTHER in LAW…ugh…would take it out of my princess's mouth and put it in her own. It made me sick!! It's not funny or cute, its gross. She would do this almost everytime we would visit, and among all the other things that she drives me crazy about, this has to be one of the top ones. My hubby never said anything to her, and I didn't know how to approach it. Too bad I didn't have your article to show her then!
I agree with you on the germ sharing thing. My dentist has told me all about it! But I have a question…what do you do when the kid is screaming and the binky fell on the floor? You aren't near a bathroom and the kid is going crazy!
Thanks
I agree completely! It has always grossed me out when I see somebody do that! You almost always have wipes with you and now they sell wipes esp. for pacifiers.
Melissa
http://www.fabulousfamilyreviews.com/
Great question. If it falls on the floor and no bathroom is in site then use a wet wipe or better yet always carry a spare. They also have pacifier sterilizers like the Pipila that can fit in the diaper bag. I just always try to carry a spare and I also use a "binky leash" to hook it on to his shirt if he spits it out then it doesn't hit the floor. Any other suggestions anyone?
-Sarah
I so agree about "cleaning" pacifiers w/ someone's mouth is so GROSS!! Yuck!! People also forget that their child can get Oral Herpes Simplex 1 aka cold sores/fever blisters from people who choose to "clean" the child pacifier w/ their mouth Small cuts and scrapes inside the mouth and jaw can exist even w/o pain Not to mention that coldsores can also be spread even w/o any visible symptoms
I agree about using spares or paci wipes. The wipes might not kill all germs of course but it sure beats using someone's germy mouths
Yuck! I have 3 kids and my youngest is 6. I don't think I ever, ever, ever did that. Ewwwww! Not only do I not want them to get my germs, I also do not want to get THEIR germs.
I also carried a spare and used the "binky leash" to keep it attached to the child's clothing.
That so gross. I've never actually seen anybody do that and I've never even thought of doing that myself. If somebody put my kids' paci in their mouth, I would NOT let them give it back to my child – I don't care who they are! yuck!
THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS!!!!
I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that, nasty!! My biggest rant is people sticking THEIR fingers in the baby's mouth to suck on in place of a pacifier!! So freaking gross!! Tons of germs!
Chari I couldn't agree more! I HATE that. Especially when they are teething and my kids try to chew on their fingers. Please don't let them! EWwwww Gross!
_Sarah