Childbirth is a miracle in itself and there are millions of biological processes at work while your child is in the womb that makes it happen. For the healthy development of the fetus, all these functions must be carried out smoothly. However, minor errors do occur that humans have no control over and which results in the baby being born with unique conditions such as a tongue or lip-tie.
What is a tongue or lip-tie?
While in the mother’s womb, babies have a strong cord of tissue in their mouths that helps in the development of other mouthparts including the tongue and lips. This cord, called the frenum, is supposed to grow thin as the baby nears its full term. In 4-10% of babies, this may not happen as it is supposed to, leaving the frenum still thick in the mouth. This results in a tongue-tie or lip-tie.
A frenum is easily visible under our tongues and lips. If you look into a mirror, you will see a thin membrane under your tongue and a similar one under your lips that allows your tongue and lips to move. A tongue-tie, referred to as Ankyloglossia, is a condition where the lingual frenum remains thick and short, restricting the free movement of the tongue. Lip-tie is a condition where the upper lip cannot be curled normally as the labial frenum is thick and connected to the inner lining of the mouth.
What are the problems associated with a tongue or lip-tie?
Tongue and lips are made of a complex group of muscles and perform very important functions. Children with a tongue-tie or lip-tie might have trouble speaking, feeding, and other dental issues. If this condition carries into adulthood, it can become the cause behind migraines, back and shoulder pains, neck stiffness and some speech problems.
How to tell if your baby is born with a tongue or lip-tie?
Some of the common symptoms that can be seen in babies with this condition are –
- Baby is not able to latch properly while nursing
- Baby is feeding too often
- Baby seems unsatisfied even after prolonged feeding with good milk supply
- Falling asleep on the breast
- Colic symptoms
- Not being able to use the pacifier
Symptoms in the mother that indicate a possible tongue or lip-tie in the baby –
- Experiencing pain while nursing
- Bruised or bleeding nipples
- Flattened nipples
- Change in the colour of the nipple after feeding
- Nipple infection
- Blocked milk ducts
If you detect any of these symptoms of tongue or lip-tie in your baby or yourself, you should visit a kid’s dentist near you as soon as possible. With timely intervention, you can save your child a lot of hardships arising out of this condition such as problems in feeding properly, insufficient weight gain, and speech defects.
The first thing to do if you have any doubt that your child might be suffering from a tongue or lip-tie, is to visit a pediatric dentist to confirm it. If it turns out that your child does have this problem, then schedule an appointment for a laser treatment to release the tie. It is a short procedure and in some cases can be carried out on the same day after diagnosing the condition.
While considered minor by other medical professionals, a pediatric dentist in Apollo Beach, FL knows that this condition in babies is responsible for several severe feeding problems that eventually lead to the mother stopping breastfeeding altogether.
At Smile Lynn Pediatric Dentistry, no oral issue that relates to your child is considered minor!