What is a lip tie? This is one of the most common questions from parents and guardians. Let’s dive and look at the known causes, symptoms, and solutions for lip tie.
Read: What to Expect After Tongue Tie Release?
What is a Lip Tie?
As a parent, you may have encountered the term “lip tie” and wondered what it is. Simply put, lip tie, also referred to as superior labial frenulum, is a condition that is common in infants.
It is characterized by a tight or abnormally thick tissue that joins the upper lip with the gum line. This tissue restricts normal movement and often results in breastfeeding and child speech development challenges.
Lip tie vary in severity, ranging from severe to mild. For example, in mild cases, it only slightly restricts normal lip movement and is hardly visible.
In severe cases, the child cannot move the lip, which hinders normal functions such as bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, and speech development.
Read: What to Expect in Tongue Tie Revision Treatment in Babies?
What Are the Symptoms of a Lip Tie?
Firstly, it’s important to note that all children have a maxillary labial frenulum membrane whose primary purpose is to connect the upper gums with the upper lip. It only becomes a problem if the membrane restricts movement of the upper lip.
Like tongue tie, early detection of lip tie in infants is crucial as it cushions them from an array of problems later in life.
The symptoms are;
- Breastfeeding difficulties: Infants cannot latch properly when breastfeeding due to restricted lip movement. This problem leads to inadequate milk transfer, causing fatigue and frustration for the baby and mother. Consult a pediatrician if you hear clicking or smacking noises when breastfeeding, as it’s a sign that they are not properly latched on the nipple.
- Fussy or Gassy Babies: Difficulty in latching results in the baby swallowing air during feeding. The baby experiences increased fussiness and gassiness after a feeding session.
- Speech delays: Lip tie is known to delay speed development. The child has articulation problems and cannot pronounce words with certain sounds.
- Dental Problems: If not addressed promptly, lip ties predispose the child to dental problems such as misaligned teeth and an increased risk of cavities.
Read: What You Need to Know About Lip Tie Revision?
3 Treatment Options for Lip Tie
Early detection and intervention are vital for treating lip tie. Our pediatricians and lactation consultants have the skills and experience to identify, diagnose and recommend an ideal treatment option.
There are three leading treatment solutions, namely;
1. Observation and Monitoring
This solution, also commonly referred to as “watch and wait,” is applied when the effects of the lip tie are mild. That is, the baby can still feed normally and has no issues with speech development.
However, the pediatrician should regularly monitor them to ensure that any potential problems are addressed promptly.
2. Lip Tie Release/Frenotomy
Frenotomy is a simple and quick surgical procedure that is also referred to as lip tie release. In this procedure, the pediatrician uses sterile scissors to release the tight frenulum membrane carefully. It causes minimal discomfort for the baby.
3. Laser Frenectomy
As the name suggests, this is a lip tie treatment option that involves using a laser. Unlike the lip tie release, laser frenectomy is non-invasive, and most parents prefer it as it involves minimal bleeding, less pain, and faster healing times.
Also, the laser technology used guarantees great precision.
Read: 5 Methods for Feeding Your Baby Affected by Tongue Tie
How To Care for the Baby After Laser Frenectomy or Lip Release Surgery
The beauty of laser frenectomy is that it’s painless. Minimal tenderness and oral soreness are expected after the procedure.
No need to worry, though; you can manage both using over-the-counter pain medication that the pediatrician will recommend.
During the initial recovery stages, stick to a soft food diet to avoid scratching the wound and causing pain. Usually, babies can feed 10-15 minutes after the procedure.
However, if the baby cannot latch on the nipple, you can give them milk or formula using a sterilized plastic spoon.
The pediatrician will also recommend several small stretches. You should do them using your finger multiple times a day.
These stretches will prevent the tongue-tie from recurring. It will also help the baby relearn how to move their lips and mouth without restriction.
Read: Is Your Baby Struggling with Tongue Tie? Identify the Signs
Let’s Get Together
Tongue Tie Phoenix is a team of highly skilled, talented, licensed, and compassionate pediatricians specializing in holistic lip tie treatment in Phoenix.
Our facility is baby-friendly, and we use advanced equipment to offer treatment. Let’s partner with you to ensure your baby’s health is upbeat. Click here to book an appointment.
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