Dr. Tang Caomin of Sichuan University’s Huaxi College of Stomatology warned that “the oral structure of adults is completely different from that of babies. Prolonged use of pacifiers can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, resulting in joint pain, clicking sounds, and even limited mouth opening.”

“It also poses a threat to the oral mucosa,” Tang added. “The material and design of adult pacifiers may not be suitable for the oral environment of adults, and prolonged use can cause mucosal damage and ulcers. There are also safety issues when using them while sleeping. If you sleep with a pacifier in your mouth, it can interfere with breathing, and in the worst case, there is a risk of suffocation.”

We’ve seen some unusual stress relief methods over the years, from cuddling with cows to punching a stress coach, but using a pacifier as an adult definitely ranks up there with the most bizarre.