Up to 10% of newborns are diagnosed with lip ties or tongue ties annually, which makes it difficult for them to feed, speak, and eat.
The parent is responsible for assessing their baby’s nursing, diagnosing the issue early, and looking for the best treatment.
At Tongue Tie Phoenix, we offer advanced treatment under the supervision of professionals in a warm and friendly environment.
If you are unaware of these terms, don’t worry; we will help you diagnose the difference between tongue tie and lip tie in infants, kids, and adults.
Read: What to Expect After Tongue Tie Release?
What is a Lip Tie?
A lip tie is when the small piece of tissue known as the labial frenulum is attached to the lip or the tissue between lips and gums is too tight that it causes problems.
Most people don’t notice these small pieces of flash as they are so small, but an early diagnosis can prevent lip tie problems later in life.
A lip tie can affect tooth development and restrict tooth growth. It can lead to misalignment and tooth decay as well. You can check your kid’s lip tie by gently pulling the upper lip from their gums.
Read: What to Expect in Tongue Tie Revision Treatment in Babies?
What is a Tongue Tie?
The kids with tongue tie issues do not fully develop their lingual frenum. In this condition, a thin tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is either too thick, short, or deformed. This condition is also commonly known as ankyloglossia.
It also causes dental and oral health complications as kids aren’t able to have proper feeding and face difficulty in swallowing.
In some cases, it also affects the mouth movement and speech in kids. The biggest challenge with tongue tie is its diagnosis, as it is a posterior condition that makes it less easy to identify.
Read: What You Need to Know About Lip Tie Revision?
How Does A Lip or Tongue Tie Occur?
In most cases, the newborns are born with a thick lingual or labial frenum that stays undiagnosed, or the frenum does not develop fully over time.
During a fetal development stage known as apoptosis, the frenum does not separate from the gingiva or gums, resulting in the baby having a tongue or lip tie.
The issue is genetic and can be diagnosed and treated later. While other reasons for the lack of separation of this tissue are unknown, some evidence indicates that it can be a genetic issue in the family.
Read: Is Your Baby Struggling with Tongue Tie? Identify the Signs
Lip Tie vs Tongue Tie Symptoms
You may think that lip tie vs tongue tie is easy to identify, but this is false. However, lip tie tongue tie symptoms are the same, but it takes time for the parents to assess the situation.
For infants, the first sign is the baby being fussy and irritable. One of the apparent signs is difficult latching. Most infants fail to latch, which causes pain for the nursing mothers.
Even if both these conditions require proper medical attention, here are other signs to keep an eye out for:
- Colic
- Mastitis
- Choking
- Trouble breathing while feeding
- Clicking sounds
- Excessive drooling
These symptoms can hurt the baby’s weight and the mother’s milk supply. Other signs include tongue movement, receding gums, and loss of gum tissue.
Moreover, the symptoms of tongue and lip ties in older kids include a tight and rigid attachment. Some other symptoms can be:
- Trouble brushing your teeth
- Loss of gums between teeth
- Space between your front teeth
- Cavities
- Misaligned teeth
- Bite-size issues
If you begin any of the signs mentioned above, book an appointment with the professionals in the town and get a thorough diagnosis and treatment.
Read: 5 Methods for Feeding Your Baby Affected by Tongue Tie
Lip tie Vs. Tongue Tie Treatment:
Tongue and lip ties are easy to treat at any stage, but the earlier, the better. In some cases, the issue is not severe, and time can resolve it by thinning the tissue. However, if you notice any of the symptoms, make sure to get a permanent treatment.
The most effective way of treating both these problems is through a procedure known as frenectomy. It can be carried out manually and with a laser.
In laser frenectomy, a laser is used to cut the membrane, freeing up the space and resolving all the speech and feeding issues.
Additionally, the professionals recommend some aftercare measures and postoperative exercises that will help the kid regain their movement in no time. It also prevents the skin from reattaching afterward.
So, there is no difference in tongue and lip tie treatment as both conditions are similar except for the location. The same procedure is compelling enough to solve the issue when performed correctly.
Wrapping up:
To sum up, lingual and labial frenum are identical issues; the significant difference is only the region.
Diagnosing the symptoms on time can help the parents from trouble, pain, and irritation. Lip tie before and after treatment makes a huge difference in the kid’s and mother’s life by adding to simple routine activities.
FAQs
How do you know if your baby has a lip or tongue-tie?
In babies, the initial signs are irritability, choking, not latching to the feed, and colic. Additionally, mothers can also experience pain while feeding and fussy behavior of the infants during nursing.
Do lip ties need to be corrected?
Yes, lip ties need to be treated to help the kids breathe, smile, eat, and speak without difficulty. Mostly, it isn’t easy to diagnose at home, but an early treatment always comes with advantages.
Can you have a lip tie without a tongue tie?
Yes, there is no compulsion to get both. Some kids have issues in speaking due to lingual frenum, while others face difficulty during nursing due to lip tie.
What is the best age to release tongue-tie?
A surprising fact is that tongue tie can be treated at any age. For instance, you can cut the membrane in infants, toddlers, younger children, or teenagers. There is no age limit for it.
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