Pacifier v.s. Thumb

This is such a popular debate and I hear many different ideas and beliefs on both sides. I personally have two daughters and each of them do something different. My oldest sucks her thumb and has done so from about 3 months old. My husband tried so hard to deter it, but it never really bothered me so I didn't enforce the issue. I truly believed that it made no difference and if she was going to have an overbite she would have one anyway so I let it go. My youngest daughter uses a pacifier and has used one since the day we brought her home from the hospital. She is now six months old and will cry for hours if she does not have it. I go out in public and have people stop me and say "you know she shouldn't be sucking her thumb right?" to which I reply "do you want to try and make her stop?". They quickly learn their place and move on. I have noticed here lately that my thumb sucker has a bit of an overbite. I have been assured by her dentist that a long as she quits by the time her new teeth grow in that she will be fine. I don't know how true that is, however, I do know the conveniences of having a thumb sucker. For starters you never "lose" their thumb. I lose pacifiers on a regular basis which leaves me with a cranky baby unless I buy more. Secondly I don't have to constantly place the pacifier in her mouth while driving. The baby will cry and cry until I pull over and place the pacifier in. My oldest just puts her thumb in her mouth and falls asleep. I guess the true test will be whether or not I will have to purchase braces. At this time I can honestly say I don't have a true answer as to which is better. I believe that the parent makes the best decision for themselves which is pretty much how I feel about most things in life. I don't agree with overly opinionated people who try and push their ideas of what is "right" off on to others. Being a parent is tough and deciding how to raise your child is even tougher so when someone comes up to you and tries to offer their advice it can make it seem as if everything you are doing is wrong. Keep your head up, stick to your gut, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.