As a new parent, you must initially analyze your child’s body part movements. Although doctors pass the infants from several tests, a lip or tongue tie sometimes gets neglected.
If you are new to this term, explore this blog about lip ties vs. typical lips. In this blog, we will explain in detail the lip tie issue, lip tie problems later in life and how to treat lip tie.
Continue reading more about it.
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Book an initial consultation with our professionals today and make your kid feel healthy.
What is a Normal Frenulum?
A frenulum is a piece of tissue that connects the gums and palate in your mouth.
Mostly, it is visible when people catch mouth ulcers for any reason. Also, this is where most people get appealing and unique piercings.
We all have a labial frenulum, which is negligible until we do fine. This part gets the most attention in lip tie as it comes in contact with the upper lip.
What is a Lip Tie?
Lip tie is a congenital disability that restricts the movement of the upper lip in infants and babies.
A piece of tissue extends from the gums and connects with the upper lip, known as the frenulum.
The problem arises when the upper frenulum is too tight, and causes decreased mobility.
According to a breastfeeding specialist, Katie Clark, lip tie causes issues in infants while nursing and can make their early feed experience challenging.
It not only creates nursing issues, but there are chances that your baby will annoy the parents, and they will fail to diagnose the real issue.
So, a pediatrician or a lactation educator’s help is what you need.
How to Tell If the Baby Has A Lip Tie?
Now, the thing is, how do you diagnose lip ties in babies? Parents must check several lip tie symptoms in babies after the delivery.
The first sign is having a problem in latching the mother’s feed.
Having issues in latching is an evident sign that your kid is facing some oral problems, including lip tying or tongue tying.
Other signs of lip tie in babies include:
- Clicking sound while nursing
- Not gaining enough weight
- Excessive gassiness
- Chewing and gumming of nipple
- Pain while breastfeeding
- Excessive drooling and others.
Lip Tie Vs. Normal Frenulum: Differences!
Lip tie is generally a mild condition that is treatable and not as dangerous for newborns.
It is okay to stay with a lip tie until it’s not affecting the baby’s health and causing significant issues.
However, there are several differences that you can notice quickly in kids which include the illustration of their upper lip from inside.
Parents can check lip ties vs normal pictures of babies on the internet and evaluate their kids quickly.
The significant difference is the shape that develops due to the frenulum thickness.
Apart from this, classes of upper lip ties help the pediatrician diagnose and treat the issue.
For instance, class 1 ties are rare and are little to no visible for treatment.
In class 2, the upper lip tie is near the edge of the gum line, and class 3 has ULT adjacent to a structure in the mouth known as the anterior papilla.
Class 4 involves the ULT wrapped around the hard palate. Looking at the lip tie, a doctor can quickly diagnose the class and present the best treatment plan.
Lip Tie Revision
A baby with a lip tie can stay like this for some time. You can continue with it if there is no issue while feeding and no discomfort.
However, if the new mother feels some symptoms, such as pain during breastfeeding, then it is necessary to treat it as soon as possible to prevent lip tie problems later in life.
However, lip testing can be easily reversed with a simple tie procedure known as a frenectomy, which is common in child clinics.
This treatment cuts the frenulum, and the upper lip becomes free.
It improves the overall movements and functionality. After frenectomy, post-surgery exercises help kids improve feeding, eating, and speaking abilities.
Read: What You Need to Know About Lip Tie Revision?
Final Words
A lip tie makes the nursing experience challenging for both mothers and babies. It creates issues in weight gain in kids, and so they look younger than their age.
The condition is hard to spot, but with the help of a pediatrician, it can be easily diagnosed and treated.
So, parents must pay attention to this issue early to prevent complications later in life. Lip tie in adults can also occur which is also treatable with the same procedure.
In this advanced era of technology, lip-tie pictures of newborns available on the internet can benefit new parents.
FAQs
What is the difference between a lip tie and a regular tie?
In lip tie, the frenulum connected to the gum line is thicker than usual, restricting the lip’s movement and functionality.
In this condition, it becomes challenging for infants to nurse correctly.
How can I tell if my baby has a lip tie?
By checking on the significant signs and symptoms and looking into their mouth, mothers can know if their baby has a lip tie or not.
Additionally, lip-tie pictures on the internet and pediatrician visits can be helpful.
Will a lip tie correct itself?
No, it is not possible that it reverses itself. A surgery known as frenectomy is performed to get rid of a lip tie or tongue tie in which the excessive tissue part is cut with the help of a scalp or laser.