What Is Lip Tie in Babies?
"Lip and tongue ties are often missed or dismissed," says Dr. Yoder. "But they can result in an incorrect swallow called the tongue thrusting swallow. This can throw off the pressure in the mouth and cause oral concerns. It may also require individuals to need orthodontic work."
If left untreated, lip ties can negatively impact one's dental health, causing a gap between the front teeth, cavities, and other issues. Lip ties can also lead to future health problems in adulthood, like sleep apnea. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the better their chances of avoiding dental and health challenges.
That said, having a lip tie isn't a guarantee that a child will experience related health problems. "Ties don't affect everyone the same," says Dr. Yoder. "Just because two people have ties doesn't mean their issues will be the same. One can have severe reflux and feeding issues, and the other may not have any problem with feeding but they may develop sleep apnea as an adult."]
Correcting a Lip Tie
Thankfully, correcting a lip or tongue tie is relatively simple. Children can have the procedure done at any age, including infancy. A trained professional, usually a pediatric dentist or surgeon, completes the correction by cutting the tie with a laser or scissors. It takes under a minute to complete after the soft tissue is numbed.
Keep in mind, too, that the efficacy and appropriate indications for correcting a lip tie are unknown in the medical literature and data. It also is a somewhat controversial procedure. Consult a pediatrician and/or a pediatric care specialist to determine what is right for you and your child.ds
When To Call a Doctor
If you think your baby has a lip or tongue tie, reach out to a pediatrician for a screening. For those who feel anxious about ties, especially if you are experiencing difficulty feeding, remember that ties can be easily diagnosed and treated.
"Social media has led many parents to worry about lip and tongue ties, but if you are worried, rather than trying to self-assess or self-diagnose, seek out a provider who has been trained in the assessment and care of a child with tethered oral tissues," says Kelly Fradin, M.D., director of pediatrics at Atria Institute in New York City and author of Advanced Parenting: Helping Children Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges. "Specifically, looking at photos online will not help you to diagnose your child because what matters is the dynamic function and movement of the tongue and lip rather than the appearance of the tissues."
