Feeding is one of the most important parts of early childhood development, and when it doesn’t go smoothly, that can be incredibly frustrating for parents. Fussy children and sore spots can derail the process of breastfeeding, which can make the already-stressful period of early childhood even more so.
If your baby is struggling with feeding, it could be that they have a lip tie. If you want to know more about this condition, here’s some information that could be helpful to you.
What Is a Lip Tie?
If you use your tongue to feel inside your upper lip, you may notice a small tendon that connects your them to your gums. This is called a frenulum, and it can naturally vary in size and thickness between people.
Some children are born with a thick frenulum connecting their lip to their gums, resulting in an inability to move their mouth properly. This is known as a lip tie.
How to Lip Ties Impact Your Child’s Quality of Life?
A lip tie early in life can make it excessively difficult for children to latch onto the nipple. Babies with lip ties may not be able to latch at all, or may make a clicking sound when feeding. They may also spit out or choke on milk, or not gain weight proportional to how much it seems liked they should.
If you’re breastfeeding a child with a lip tie, you may notice a pain during feeding or even damage to your nipples over time.
How are Lip Ties Treated?
If you suspect your child has a lip tie, you can contact their pediatric dentist for an exam. If they determine that their frenulum is the problem, they’ll perform a procedure called a frenectomy. Your dentist will numb your child, then use either a scalpel or a laser to thin the frenulum.
The procedure can be completed in seconds, is painless for the child, and can make a massive difference in their quality of life. If you think your child may have a lip tie, that may actually be reassuring; it means that the child’s feeding problems can be solved fairly easily.
About Our Practice
Welcome to the office of Homer Sedighi, DMD and Jessica Martin, DMD! Our team of experienced pediatric dentists will partner with you to ensure that your child is getting the highest level of care available anywhere. We believe it’s our responsibility to keep parents informed and involved every step of the way, so when your child is in our care you’ll never have to feel out of the loop.
If you have any questions about lip ties, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (636) 777-7777.