What are Tongue and Lip-Tie?
Conditions affecting the oral tissues in the mouth include tongue-tie and lip-tie.
Medically known as ankyloglossia, tongue-tie is a disorder in which the lingual frenulum—the tissue that attaches the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is shortened or stiffer than usual. This might restrict the tongue’s range of motion and make it difficult to talk, nurse, or maintain excellent dental hygiene.
The labial frenulum, a thick, tight, or stretched tissue attachment between the top lip and the gums, is what causes lip-tie, also known as upper lip-tie. Breastfeeding, dental care, and upper lip growth may all be impacted by this problem.
Lip-tie and tongue-tie constraints can range in severity from moderate to more significant. These conditions may occasionally need to be treated or intervened with, especially if they result in serious problems or pain. A tongue-tie or lip-tie assessment can be obtained by speaking with a healthcare expert, such as a pediatrician, an ENT specialist, or our dentist in Sylvan Lake.
Symptoms That Indicate Your Baby Has Tongue and Lip-Tie
Certain signs can be used to diagnose tongue and lip ties in infants. Here are several indicators to keep an eye out for:
- Breastfeeding challenges: Babies with tongue or lip ties may find it difficult to latch on, maintain a firm latch, or efficiently absorb milk. Feeding issues, low weight growth, and frustrating feeding sessions might result from this.
- Clicking sounds while feeding: When your infant makes clicking or smacking noises when you are nursing, it may be an indication that your baby has tongue- or lip-tie, which is making it difficult for him or her to establish a proper seal or suction.
- Lack of milk transfer: Tongue and lip ties while breastfeeding may cause a lack of milk transfer. Your infant could breastfeed for long stretches of time without getting enough milk or display indications of hunger soon after a meal.
- Irritated nipples: A tongue and lip tie’s poor latching and excessive pressure on the nipples can result in nipple discomfort, irritation, cracking, or bleeding.
- Fussy feeding behavior: Because of the difficulties they have when eating, babies with tongue- or lip-ties may be fussy, agitated, or frustrated.
- Poor weight gain: Tongue and lip ties can increase insufficient calorie intake and prevent newborns from gaining weight properly.
Does Lip-Tie Affect Your Baby’s Speech?
The development of a baby’s speech may be impacted by lip-tie, albeit the effect will depend on how severe the problem is. A thick or tight tissue connection between the top lip and the gums is referred to as a “lip tie.” In rare circumstances, this limitation may reduce the upper lip’s range of motion, making it challenging for the infant to correctly pronounce various sounds.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that not all infants with lip-tie will have trouble speaking. The degree of the lip-tie might vary, as can a person’s capacity to make up for the constraint. The results of speech can also be influenced by other factors, such as general oral motor abilities and language development.
Treatment for Tongue and Lip-Tie
Depending on the severity of the problem and any accompanying symptoms, tongue and lip tie require a variety of treatments. Options consist of:
- For mild instances, observation and supportive treatment are provided.
- A minimally invasive surgery to loosen the tight tissue is called a frenotomy. Choosing to have your baby receive a frenotomy near you can be a good alternative.
- Frenuloplasty, comprising a more thorough correction of the frenulum, is used for more severe or difficult situations.
- Support for feeding and counseling with experts to overcome breastfeeding difficulties.
To choose the best course of action for your unique circumstance, you must speak with a dentist near you with experience in tongue and lip-tie. They will be able to inform you as to whether receiving an infant frenectomy treatment near you is necessary.
Book Your Consultation at Sylvan Lake Dental
If you’re considering an infant frenectomy treatment in Sylvan Lake, we recommend scheduling a consultation at our local dental center. Contact us today to book your appointment and ensure the best care for your little one.