Nowadays, most parents are closely looking at the oral anatomy of their newborns, which increases the number of tongue ties or lip ties reported every year. This has also been proven by a study conducted by Trilogy Society. Mild lip ties do not pose any health concerns, whereas severe tongue ties can cause health complications like difficulty in breastfeeding, speech problems, and cavities.

 

Read more to learn about a lip tie, how to recognize it, and what treatment to undergo to correct it.

 

What is a lip tie?

 

A lip tie is a congenital condition in which the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum, known as the labial frenulum, is unusually tight or thick. This restriction limits the movement of the upper lip and potentially affects feeding speech and oral development. Lip ties often occur alongside tongue ties and are more frequently observed in boys than girls. Additionally, they tend to have a hereditary pattern and run in families.

 

What does a lip tie look like?

 

A lip tie looks like a thick or tight band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum. It may appear as a prominent, rigid strip of skin that restricts the movement of the upper lip. In some cases, the frenulum extends lower down the gum line, creating tension and affecting the natural positioning of the lip. The severity can vary, with some lip ties being thin and flexible while others are thick and fibrous, visibly limiting the ability of the lip to move freely.

 

How Does a Lip Tie Impact Breastfeeding?

 

Breastfeeding is very important for infants as it helps foster the mother-baby bond and provides essential nutrients for the baby. However, a lip tie can interfere with this process by making it difficult for the baby to latch properly onto the breast.

 

A good latch requires the baby to flange their upper lip outward to create a secure seal, allowing efficient milk transfer, but when a baby has a lip tie, the tight or thick labial frenulum restricts the movement of the upper lip. This restriction of upper lip movement causes various breastfeeding challenges. The some listed by most mothers are listed below,

 

  • Poor latch: The baby struggles to maintain a proper latch due to lip movement restriction, which causes it to slip off the breast frequently.
  • Painful nursing: The baby’s inability to latch deeply causes nipple pain, soreness, or damage. 
  • Frequent feedings: Since the baby cannot efficiently extract milk, frequent feedings may be necessary to compensate for the required nutrients.
  • Poor weight gain: The baby’s weight gain ability will be very low due to insufficient milk intake. 
  • Increased gas and colic: Lip tie causes improper latching, which leads to excess air swallowing, which causes gas, reflux, and colic symptoms.

 

Does a Lip Tie Cause Any Complications for Babies?

 

Mild lip ties do not cause any complications. However, severe cases can lead to various complications beyond breastfeeding. Some common complications are,

 

  • Dental Problems: In some severe cases, if the frenulum restricts proper lip movement, it can be difficult to clean the front teeth effectively, increasing the risk of cavities.
  • Speech Difficulties: Restricted lip movement can impact speech development, making pronouncing certain words complex and challenging for children.
  • Eating Challenges: When babies grow into toddlers, they consume solid foods. The severe lip tie at that movement could make the transition to solid foods difficult. 
  • Mouth Breathing and Oral Health Issues: Lip ties can sometimes be linked to a tendency for mouth breathing, which may contribute to complicated problems like dry mouth, bad breath, and an increased risk of oral infections.

 

Not all babies with a lip tie will experience these issues, but these issues will help in addressing the lip tie condition so that you can prevent long-term concerns.

 

How Is a Lip Tie Diagnosed?

 

Lip tie diagnosis can be done by a pediatrician, lactation consultant, dentist, or ENT specialist. The diagnosis involves the following steps. They are,

 

  • Visual inspection checks for signs of restriction, thickness, or tightness in the upper lip and frenulum.
  • Then, the baby’s ability to move their upper lip, latch effectively and feed efficiently is evaluated.
  • Then, the severity of the lip tie is checked to determine whether treatment is necessary.
  • Doctors then discuss parental observations with the parents. Some common questions are difficulties in feeding, weight gain issues, excessive gas and other issues.

 

How Is a Lip Tie Treated?

 

Treatment for the lip tie depends on the severity of the restrictions caused by the lip tie and the baby’s symptoms.

 

If the lip tie is mild, then no treatment is needed. However, in moderate to severe cases, several treatment options are available,

 

  • Lactation Support: A lactation consultant can provide strategies to improve breastfeeding despite the lip tie. This may include adjusting the baby’s positioning, encouraging a deeper latch, or using different breastfeeding techniques.
  • Stretching Exercises: Some pediatricians or therapists may recommend gentle stretching exercises to help loosen the frenulum over time, particularly in mild cases.
  • Frenotomy (Lip Tie Release): In more severe cases, a frenotomy may be performed. This simple and quick procedure involves a doctor using sterile scissors or a laser to snip the restrictive frenulum, allowing for improved lip movement. The procedure is typically performed with minimal discomfort and has a short recovery time.
  • Post-Procedure Care: Parents are often advised to perform stretching exercises to prevent reattachment and ensure proper healing after a frenotomy. Babies usually adapt quickly and may show immediate improvement in feeding.

 

Takeaway

 

Lip ties are increasingly recognized and diagnosed as parents become more aware of their newborns’ oral anatomy. While mild cases may not require intervention, severe lip ties can impact breastfeeding, speech, dental health, and oral function. If a child’s lip tie is not causing feeding issues but is suspected to contribute to speech, dental, or oral health concerns later in life, an evaluation by a pediatric dentist or speech therapist may be recommended.

 

Contact Surya Dental Care to treat lip ties, as we have experienced the best pediatric dentists in Trichy.