When babies are born, a new set of challenges that arise for both mother and child, some of which involve feeding. In the first few weeks of a life, a breastfeeding baby may struggle to latch properly. A common cause for this challenge is tongue and lip ties.
Both tongue and lip ties are classified as midline defects, occurring on the front portion of the body, usually in the middle or center. Some other midline defects include cleft chin, cleft lip, deviated septum, and even extra or missing teeth.
Most of the time a lip tie accompanies a tongue tie. While the two ties are very similar, they affect different tissues in the mouth.
Tongue Ties
Formally known as ankyloglossia, a tongue tie restricts the tongue’s range of motion caused by a tight or short lingual frenulum (band of tissue), which is the membrane that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Everyone is born with some of this tissue; however, some babies are born with it so tight that it restricts mobility. This can affect feeding and the ability to suck on a pacifier. Tongue ties tend to run in families and affect males more than females. According to La Leche League International, there is an association between high or unusual palates and tongue ties, because restricted tongue movement can affect the shape of the palate.
Medical professionals classify tongue ties based on their severity and the degree of which the tongue is connected. Some people experience little to no symptoms, but the classic signs of a tie tongue include difficulty sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth or lifting it to the upper teeth.
Lip Ties
Much like its counterpart (tongue tie) a lip tie affects the frenulum, the band of tissue behind your upper lip. When this tissue is too short, stiff, or tight, it can keep the upper lip from moving freely. Not as much research has been conducted on lip ties alone, since they typically occur with a tongue tie.
Dental problems may arise from untreated lip ties such increased tooth decay from food being pushed into the pockets on either side of a lip tie. A severe lip tie may even cause spacing between the two front teeth, requiring orthodontic work.
Many lip ties pose little to no problems. To avoid a frenectomy (surgical procedure), some lip ties can be alleviated through therapy techniques that involve sliding a finger along the top of the lip to loosen the gap between the lip and gum line. This can gradually improve the lip’s mobility.
Cutting Ties
Treatment for both tongue and lip ties involves releasing the band of tissue that is causing restricted mobility. This can be done by snipping the tissue with a scalpel or scissors, or by laser. It’s a very common procedure that involves little pain and quick recovery; however, it’s much easier and less traumatic to fix this problem during infancy as opposed to childhood or adulthood.
If you have any questions or concerns about tongue or lip ties, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.