Has your child just received a tongue- or lip-tie diagnosis? There is no cause for concern. Contrary to popular belief, the disease affects more newborns. The abnormality affects up to 11% of babies. Although it can affect anyone, boys are more likely to develop it than girls, and it also frequently runs in families. In order to avoid long-term difficulties, it is best to have a lip-tie procedure done as soon as possible. We provide the kind of loving care that your kid deserves when we treat lip and tongue ties.
What is Lip-Tie?
Your tongue and lips rest on a thin flap of tissue known as the frenulum. The tongue and lip mobility might be impeded by either too short or thick tissue. This may make it challenging for infants to eat, harming their development and nutrition. If the problem is not resolved, it may worsen as they age, impairing their development and quality of life, including speech delays and dental issues.
What Causes Lip-Ties in Babies?
It is unclear what explicitly causes infant lip ties. However, a mix of genetic and prenatal development factors is thought to contribute to lip ties. It may be influenced by genetic predisposition, which means it may run in families. A lip tie may result from a thick or tight band of tissue (frenulum) connecting the upper lip to the gum tissue during the embryonic development of the mouth and face.
How Can I Tell if My Baby Has a Lip-Tie?
After delivery, many kids are diagnosed with a lip tie for infants or a tongue tie. There are several indications that your child may have the anomaly, including:
- During nursing, a poor latch.
- Tries to latch but slides off, nips, or nods off.
- Symptoms of reflux or colic.
- A poor increase in weight.
- While nursing, gumming, or chewing on the nipple.
- Unable to keep a pacifier in the mouth.
- You can’t use a bottle.
- Difficulty pushing the tongue out or lifting it
- The tongue appears to be heart-shaped.
In addition to your child, you might also exhibit lip/tongue tie for infants symptoms, such as:
- Cracked or sore nipples.
- Milk supply is low.
- The breasts become inflamed.
Should Lip-Ties in Babies Be Corrected?
In order to fix the lip or tongue knot, a frenectomy is performed. To avoid the need for anesthesia or sedation, it is advised that your child undergo quick treatment before 12 months, but it can also be done when they are older.
In most cases, the entire procedure is finished in under a minute. A topical anesthetic is applied as a soft tissue laser precisely slices the tissue to liberate the movement of the lip or tongue. As it cuts, the laser cauterizes to stop bleeding. Additionally, the tissue is sterilized, lowering the chance of infection.
24 to 48 hours following the treatment, with a Tampa tongue tie near you, a white, diamond-shaped patch will start to show where the tissue was severed. To stop the tissue from reattaching, letting your child wiggle their tongue or lip is crucial. The tissue will be totally recovered in 1 to 2 weeks.
Book an Appointment Right Away!
There is no cause for concern if your child has a lip or tongue tie. To give your child a healthy, functional smile, our pediatric dental team can safely and efficiently perform a frenectomy. Contact our Tongue Tie Center in Tampa now to arrange a consultation.