A lip-tie is when a banded area of tissue located behind the upper lip causes restriction, resulting in patients experiencing difficulty when performing normal daily tasks (i.e., eating, speaking, breathing, etc.). Toddlers who have a lip-tie may have experienced problems when they were an infant, but the issue went unnoticed or undiagnosed. Now that they’re older, the restricted tissue can present new issues – those that require treatment if worsening symptoms are to be avoided. Read on to learn how a lip-tie can negatively affect your toddler and what you can do to fix it.
How Can a Lip-Tie Impact a Toddler’s Daily Life?
Toddlers are always on the go. Now that they’re walking, you’re likely having a hard time getting them to sit still long enough to do anything. But when it comes to eating and attempting to say certain words, they may become more frustrated if a lip-tie is getting in their way.
Below are just a few of the many ways this restricted band of tissue can be problematic for your growing child:
- They may be unable to chew age-appropriate solid foods, creating problems with digestion, weight gain, and nutritional intake.
- Regular gagging, choking, or throwing up foods.
- Poor food preferences (choosing only those that are easier to eat, which tend to be unhealthy)
- Difficulty saying age-appropriate words or forming certain sounds or syllables.
- Mouth breathing, as the lip cannot remain closed, which can lead to sleep-disordered breathing.
What Can Be Done to Fix a Lip-Tie?
Fixing a lip-tie requires the help of a trusted expert who is trained to perform what is known as a frenectomy. This procedure is quick and virtually painless, and it gives your little one the chance to use their lip to the fullest extent. When finished, they’ll be able to move it up freely, without restriction.
After meeting with a dentist to discuss your child’s lip-tie, you can expect them to recommend a frenectomy if they believe it is hindering their quality of life.
To perform this procedure, the dentist will use a soft tissue dental laser, which is fast, precise, and comfortable for patients. Your child will receive a small amount of topical local anesthetic to numb the area before the laser is used to release the tie. The fast movement minimizes bleeding and swelling and also reduces the chances of infection because it cauterizes the tissue.
Lip-tie treatment is one of the best decisions you can make for your child. Not only will releasing the tissue give them a greater range of motion, but it will positively impact their quality of life moving forward, allowing for a healthier and happier childhood.
About the Author
Dr. Lori Hare has more than 30 years of experience helping patients better understand how oral health and the airway are connected. Earning her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma’s School of Dentistry, she became an active member of Spear Education in 2013 and discovered a passion for helping those with sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Knowing this can happen for many reasons and among patients of all ages, she regularly works with parents whose children are suffering from lip and tongue-ties and struggle to breathe while asleep. If you think your toddler needs help, call our office at (918) 749-0303 or visit our website today.