You were looking for dental care for your little one when you came across something called “lip and tongue tie.” If you’ve never heard of this condition before, don’t worry – not many people know what it is! Since a lip or tongue tie doesn’t go away on its own, it’s best to have your pediatric dentist examine your child’s mouth and remove it when necessary. Keep reading, and you’ll learn everything you need to know about lip and tongue ties.
What Are Lip and Tongue Ties?
The lips are attached to the mouth by a type of oral tissue called a frenulum. Similarly, there’s a frenulum underneath the tongue that attaches it to the bottom of the mouth. So while it’s perfectly normal to have frenula, sometimes children are born with frenula that are excessively thick or long. This is when the frenula create a lip or tongue tie. Unfortunately, children don’t “grow out” of this condition, and without treatment, the tie will continue to cause problems.
Why Should Lip and Tongue Ties Be Removed?
The reason why lip and tongue ties can be problematic is that they restrict oral movement. Since they don’t have full movement of their mouth, your child may have difficulty:
- Latching while breastfeeding
- Breathing properly
- Eating certain foods
- Pronouncing certain sounds
Colic, reflux, sleep apnea, and diastema (having a space between the top two front teeth) are also common. Lip and tongue ties can even affect your child’s oral structure as they grow, changing the shape of the jaw and creating bite misalignments or a deviated septum.
What Is the Treatment Process Like?
Rest assured, removing a lip or tongue tie is a painless process. Thanks to soft tissue laser technology, your pediatric dentist won’t even have to use sharp instruments. They’ll simply “point and click.” Another benefit to using a soft tissue laser is that the device cauterizes the area on contact, reducing both bleeding and recovery time for your child. Removing a lip or tongue tie doesn’t take very long either, and most children only need one appointment.
If you’re worried about your child’s lip or tongue tie, talk to your pediatric dentist. They’ll be happy to walk you through the details of treatment, and will take good care of your little one.
About the Author
Dr. Roxanne Clarke earned her dental doctorate at the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry, and completed a fellowship program for the developmentally disabled at Stony Brook University in New York. She’s a proud Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is passionate about providing gentle, quality dental care for children. If your little one needs a lip or tongue tie treatment, Dr. Clarke will make sure you both feel comfortable during your visit. To contact her office, call 443-241-7575.