A lip tie is a common breastfeeding challenge in infants and children. The condition usually affects normal lip movement, resulting in feeding difficulties.
A lip tie resembles typically a thick, short band of tissues or skin connecting gums with the upper lip. The thickness and tightness can vary depending on the severity of the condition.
It is possible to spot a lip tie with the naked eye by visualizing the attachment between lips and gums. However, a medical examination is a must to evaluate the severity of the problem.
What is a Lip Tie?
A lip tie is a condition in which the membrane that connects the upper lips with the gums on the tooth front has a changed anatomy. This membrane, the maxillary or superior labial frenulum, is thicker or shorter than normal.
A short or thick piece of skin makes it difficult for the lips to move the whole feeding. Depending on the severity of the problem and possible complications, a lip tie can change the normal functioning of the upper lips.
The exact cause of lip tie remains a mystery. However, several genetic factors and developmental conditions define the outcome.
Why is Lip Tie a Cause of Concern?
A lip tie can cause different problems, including:
Breastfeeding problems
Most children who suffer from this are unable to latch properly and find it difficult to nurse.
This is the most common complication of a lip tie. According to the research, 91.2% of parents reported that lip ties cause breastfeeding problems in infants.
Oral Hygiene
Children with tied lips often face problems cleaning their oral cavity on the front side. The lip tie restricts lip movement, creating a hard-to-reach area.
The liability of properly cleaning this part during regular brushing can lead to bacterial accumulation. This can result in several oral health problems, including infection, bad smell, cavities, etc.
Speech Concerns
In some cases, the lip tie, if unresolved, can cause speech difficulty in children. Children suffering from the condition may face trouble pronouncing certain words with sounds like v, w, m, p, b, etc.
It is simply because of the structural problem with the lip membrane. However, the link between both isn’t fully established, so more research is required.
Aesthetic Concerns
A lip tie can also affect your facial appearance. Some children may often experience visible gaps between the front teeth because of a tight membrane. This raises aesthetic concerns among the children.
How to Spot a Lip Tie? 5 Ways to Do It
Now comes the important part: what does a lip tie look like?
Well, the following are some visible signs suggesting the presence of a lip tie.
1- Frenulum Changes
Diagnosis of a lip tie is quite simple. One can easily point out an abnormally thick or short labial frenulum. To check for this, you can gently hold the upper lip and cheek for the visual changes.
Also, try moving the upper lip in different directions to see if there is some restricted movement. This simple oral examination is possible at home and can save you from bigger problems.
2- Gap Between the Teeth
Another common complication of a tied lip is the visible distance between the teeth. This difference is visible between the front teeth.
3- Receding Gum
Sometimes, a lip tie can also lead to gum recession in the area where it connects the gum with the lip. While checking for a lip tie, don’t forget to look for receding gums.
4- Lip Shape Changes
A common problem with the lip tie is that it can alter the shape of lips because of limited movement. In such cases, a lip may appear close to the teeth, looking almost flat or stuck against the teeth or gums.
Sometimes, the lip may also appear thinner than usual and cannot curl outward, creating a visible difference. This becomes more visible when a child is trying to feed.
5- Other Symptoms of Lip Tie
Apart from these apparent changes in frenulum structure, some associated disease symptoms help with the timely diagnosis of the problem. These include:
- Feeding Troubles
- Poor latch
- Clicking sound
- Difficulty breathing
- Milk leaking
- Falling asleep
- Extended feeding time
- Breastfeeding Troubles
- Painful breastfeeding
- Breast engorgement
- Poor weight gain
- Gas or fussiness
- Irritability
Classification of Lip Tie based on Appearance
Just like tongue tie levels, lip ties can also be classified into the following:
| Lip Tie Class | Types | Frenulum Appearance | Restricted Lip Movement | Breastfeeding/ Speech Problems | Treatment |
| Class I | Mild/ Mucosal | Thick and short | No impact | No | Not required |
| Class II | Moderate/ Gingival | Visibly thick and short | Mild | Mild | Recommended |
| Class III | Severe/ Papillary | More thick than class 2 | Severe | Considerable | Must |
| Class IV | Extreme/ Papilla Penetrating | Thickest and shortest | Extreme with lip shape changes | Extremely challenging | Essential for feeding success |
Challenges in the Diagnosis of Lip Tie
A lip tie, especially mild, can go unnoticed because of its overlapping symptoms with colic, silent reflux, and other potential problems. However, some recent studies suggest that lip ties have been overdiagnosed in recent years.
The problem doesn’t stop here. Overdiagnosis further resulted in performing treatment procedures despite the lack of any promising benefits. So, there is a need to redefine diagnostic criteria for such conditions and develop the treatment plan only when needed.
If you suspect your child has a tied lip, book your appointment with the childcare experts via Tongue Tie Phoenix for the right diagnosis.
Bottom Line
A lip tie is a common problem in children, resulting in potential feeding challenges. It appears as a thick and short lingual frenulum and can have different severity levels. However, not all lip ties cause severe problems and require treatment.
An effective treatment plan is essential to prevent lip tie complications later in life. Frenectomy is the procedure for treating lip tie.
Frenectomy modifies the frenulum membrane to free the restricted lip. Nowadays, laser frenectomy is the best resort because of minimal invasion and quick healing.
