Curaprox Baby Soother Size 1

The Curaprox Baby Soother Size 1 is the next step in Curaprox's biofunctional soother range, designed for children aged 1 to 2.5 years who still have a need to suck. Like size 0, it was developed by Swiss oral care brand Curaprox with Austrian orthodontist Dr Herbert Pick, and uses a flat, broad and flexible silicone teat instead of the rounded bulb found on most dummies. It's slightly larger than size 0 to suit a growing mouth, comes with its own protective box, and is certified to the European soother safety standard EN 1400.

By the toddler stage, the milk teeth are coming through and the jaw is still developing. If your child is still using a soother at this age, the shape of that soother matters. Size 1 is designed to keep supporting natural jaw, tongue and palate development while meeting your toddler's need for comfort.

Why the shape is different

Conventional round or cherry-shaped teats can push the tongue down and away from its natural resting position against the roof of the mouth, and concentrate pressure on the front of the palate. Over time and with prolonged use, that's associated with bite changes such as open bites and crossbites.

The Curaprox teat is shaped to work differently:

• Flat and thin: The sucking part is flat rather than round, leaving room for the tongue to rest and move naturally.
• Broad side wings: Wing-shaped edges are designed to direct sucking pressure towards the sides of the upper jaw, rather than mainly the front and centre of the palate, promoting a more balanced pressure distribution.
• Soft central section: The tongue presses a soft centre during sucking, which is intended to encourage natural tongue movement.
• Active, not passive: The soother is designed to stay in place only while your child is actively sucking, so it isn't held passively in the mouth.

What the research shows

• A small clinical case series from the University Centre for Dental Medicine Basel: Paediatric and orthodontic specialists (Filippi, Filippi and Verna, first published in the Swiss Dental Journal in 2015) followed three children aged two to five with open bites linked to bottle or dummy habits. In one case, a four-and-a-half-year-old with an open bite and crossbite switched to the size 1 soother for a month, then size 2; within three months the open bite was significantly reduced and the crossbite of the milk canines corrected. Across all three cases, open bites closed or reduced over three months to two years. The authors call the results encouraging, but note that with only three cases, they need confirming in a larger study.
• A 2025 computer-modelling study from the University of Basel: Researchers (Maintz, Nalabothu, Thieringer and Verna, published in Head & Face Medicine) used finite element analysis, an engineering simulation, to compare how different soother shapes press against modelled infant palates. Curaprox reports the study found its design directs pressure more towards the sides of the palate rather than mainly to the front. This is a simulation, not a study on children.

In short: the design and early findings are promising, but there isn't yet large-scale clinical evidence. If you've noticed changes in your child's bite, size 1 is not a substitute for a check-up with a dentist or orthodontist.

Who size 1 is for

Curaprox recommends size 1 for children aged 1 to 2.5 years who are still using a soother, who need a slightly larger soother than size 0, or who show early minor irregularities in their bite, ideally with professional assessment. Many children stop using a soother around their first birthday and never need size 1; others continue with size 0. From 2.5 years, size 2 is the next step.

How to use

Before first use: Place the soother in boiling water for five minutes. Let it cool completely, squeeze out any water left inside the teat and allow it to dry fully.

Every day: Clean before each use. Inspect before every use by gently pulling the teat in all directions, and throw it away at the first sign of damage or weakness. Toddlers with teeth can bite through a teat, so check it carefully. Store it in the protective box when not in use, but don't leave it in the box for long periods, and keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.

Attaching it: Only use soother holders tested to EN 12586. Never attach ribbons, cords or strings.

Best For

The Curaprox Baby Soother Size 1 is a great option for parents who:

• Have a toddler aged 1 to 2.5 years who still uses a soother
• Want a soother designed with jaw, palate and tongue development in mind during the toddler years
• Are moving up from Curaprox size 0, or switching from a conventional round dummy
• Have been advised by a dentist or orthodontist to try a biofunctional soother

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Have a baby under one; size 0 is designed from birth
• Have a child who strongly prefers a round teat; the flat shape takes some getting used to
• Are looking for a treatment for an existing bite problem without professional input

Good to Know

Curaprox describes the soother as made from skin-friendly silicone, free from harmful substances and certified to EN 1400 safety standards. Always supervise your child when using a soother. The effect of soother use on teeth varies from child to child and depends a great deal on how long and how often it's used, so speak to your dentist if you have concerns about your child's bite.

Pandylane Pro Tip: If your toddler is attached to a round dummy, try swapping to the Curaprox soother at a calm time of day first, such as story time, before using it for naps and bedtime. A few days of gradual change usually goes more smoothly than a straight swap at night.