Lip and Tongue Ties
What Are Lip and Tongue Ties?
Tongue and lip ties are caused by thick or malformed oral tissues. Tongue ties are caused when the lingual frenulum (the membrane that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is thick, short, or otherwise malformed.
Lip ties are essentially similar to tongue ties. This condition occurs when the frenulum which connects the upper or lower lip to the gums is thick, too short, or improperly formed, causing mobility issues with the lips. Lip and tongue ties can lead to interferences with breastfeeding and speech development.
Treatment for Lip and Tongue Ties
A simple surgical procedure called a frenectomy can be performed in the office with or without anesthesia. At Advanced Pediatric Dentistry, we use the Solea® Laser for in-office frenectomy procedures. This method is ideal for babies and children, as it is less invasive and quick, minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding or discomfort.
What is the Solea Laser?
The Solea Laser is a CO2 all-tissue dental laser used for soft tissue corrections. The laser produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy that can remove or reshape tissue upon contact. The Solea laser is effective on enamel, dentin, gum, and bone tissue.
The benefits of the Solea Laser include faster and more precise treatments, with most cases not requiring anesthesia. This results in less bleeding, minimal swelling, no sutures, minimal scar tissue, and almost no discomfort. Additionally, there is a reduced risk of bacterial infections.
Checking For Tongue And Lip Ties
Look For Issues When Nursing
Observe nursing for difficulties, discomfort, or inadequate feeding to identify potential tongue or lip ties.
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Tongue and lip ties usually make it difficult for your child to latch properly onto the nipple when breastfeeding.
Look for symptoms such as an inability to properly nurse, clicking noises while the baby is suckling, excessive drooling, poor weight gain, or “gumming” and chewing of the nipple when feeding. These are all potential signs of tongue and lip ties.
Examine the Tongue or Lip
Carefully inspect your baby’s tongue and lip for unusual appearances, mobility, or attachments indicating ties.
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Lay your baby down on your knees, facing you. Gently run your finger under their tongue. Does the membrane feel short, strong, or excessively thick? A normal tongue allows for a smooth, uninterrupted swipe underneath the frenulum. If your child’s tongue appears ‘short,’ it may be due to excessive tissue, which can limit their ability to stick it out properly.
Checking the lip is also quite simple. With your child in the same position, “flip” the upper or lower lip open, and feel for any resistance that could be caused by lip ties. Look at the small band of tissue that connects the lips to the gums. It should be quite thin and pliable. If it looks thick, it seems too short, or if the lip is difficult to move, lip ties may be present.
Get a Professional Opinion
Consult a pediatric dentist or specialist to evaluate potential tongue or lip ties accurately and effectively.