A lip tie is one of the early childhood challenges.
According to the Cochrane Library, lip ties exist in 4-11% of newborns. The condition can be quite bothersome as it results in breastfeeding challenges among infants.
Not only this, but it could result in feeding problems as well as dental health challenges. However, this completely depends on the location of the lip-tie.
If your children exhibit lip-tie and have trouble breastfeeding, book your appointment with the best Lactation Consultant at Tongue Tie Phoenix.
Let’s talk about what lip ties are, their symptoms, and possible solutions.
What is a Lip Tie?
Lip tie occurs when the labial frenum membrane is thicker and tighter than usual, limiting lips’ mobility. The labial frenum is the tissue membrane that usually connects your lips and gums.
During embryonic stages, this membrane plays a crucial role in mouth structural development but subside later. When the membrane fails to recede, the problem of lip tie occurs.
Another similar challenge is the tongue-tie which restricts the movement of the tongue. Both of these problems result in feeding problems however, there are significant differences between lip-tie and tongue tie.
Challenges of Lip Tie
The lip-ties may be harmless, depending on their positioning. However, in some cases, tied tips can interfere with normal functioning and need immediate treatment. Following are the issues that occur because of lip ties.
1- Feeding Problems
The common problem because of lip-tie is trouble with breastfeeding. The restricted lip movement affects how a baby latches on your breast. Also, it hinders the baby’s ability to grasp the nipples.
Membrane attachment issues restrict the wide mouth opening, and babies have trouble breastfeeding. It also causes problems for mothers who are trying to nurse the baby.
Lip tie causes problems with breastfeeding that result in inadequate nutrition. Such children may not be able to gain healthy weight as they are growing, which could affect their development.
The problem may continue, and your child can face difficulty eating solid finger foods in later stages.
2- Dental Problems
If a lip-tie remains untreated during the initial years, it could harm a child’s dental health. The area behind the upper teeth becomes inaccessible during cleaning, which causes plaque buildup.
Children who suffer from lip tie are prone to tooth decay.
The problem can lead to receding gums among children. At later ages, lip tie can create a front tooth gap.
Signs of a Lip Tie During Breastfeeding
Challenges associated with the lip-tie make it essential to diagnose it at an early stage to prevent lip tie complications. But how do you know that your child has the condition?
Most lip-tie symptoms appear while breastfeeding, leading to detailed examination by a lactation specialist. Let’s know what are the signs of a lip-tie you need to know about:
The child and the mother also face problems feeding a child with lip-tie. Some of the signs in mothers are:
These are all the signs of lip-tie that you may notice while nursing your baby. Once you see these signs, visit your physician right away.
Different Types of Lip Tie
If you are thinking that all lip-ties are the same, then you are wrong. The level of severity of the problem varies. Based on this, we generally classify them into the following:
The severity of the condition determines how it will affect the baby’s regular feeding activities. Moreover, it helps your physician to come up with a suitable treatment plan for the condition.
Best Solutions for Lip Tie
Once you know your baby has a lip-tie, be mindful that it needs immediate treatment. The treatment varies according to the severity of lip-tie. The following are the best treatment options to know:
I- Manual Therapy
For level 1 and level 2 lip-ties that don’t cause feeding problems, your doctor may suggest manual therapy. You need to put your finger on the top of your lip and try to lose the grip of the frenum manually.
This option works when the grip isn’t too tight to cause any major problems. Over time, the membrane loses the tightness, which improves overall mobility.
II- Surgical Treatment/ Frenectomy
When lip-tie is severe, you need to go for the surgical treatment option known as frenectomy. Frenectomy is the minimally invasive oral surgical procedure in which the surgeon trims or modifies the part of the frenum causing the problem.
The procedure usually takes a few minutes, 15-30 minutes. The surgery completely treats the problem of lip-tie and resolves breastfeeding challenges.
You may experience pain, swelling, and bleeding after the procedure. The complete healing process may take up to 4 weeks.
Now, the frenectomy technique is modified, and we have an alternate version of the method known as laser-frenectomy. Laser treatment offers an easy and quick replacement for conventional procedures, offering better results.
Fix Lip Tie and Get Rid of Painful Nursing Experience
A thicker and tougher frenum membrane can restrict the movement of your lips, resulting in significant feeding challenges. The problem is common in newborns and is usually diagnosed while they face issues with breastfeeding.
An infant having lip-tie can exhibit a wide range of symptoms that could make breastfeeding a painful experience. Not all lip-ties cause problems, but level 3 and 4 ties bring along complications.
But worry no more. Frenectomy is the best solution for lip and tongue ties. It helps to resolve nursing problems in kids. You can choose a good lactation specialist for timely diagnosis and treatment.
