Lip And Tongue Ties In Babies

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie are conditions that can affect infants and young children. They occur when the frenulum—the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the upper lip to the gums—is unusually tight or thick, limiting movement of the tongue or lip.

Here are some implications and considerations associated with these conditions:

1. Feeding Difficulties: One of the primary concerns with tongue tie and lip tie is difficulty with breastfeeding. A tight frenulum can restrict the baby's ability to latch properly onto the breast, leading to issues such as poor milk transfer, nipple pain for the mother, and inadequate nutrition for the baby.

2. Speech Development: Tongue tie can potentially affect speech development in some cases. It may lead to challenges with articulation and pronunciation of certain sounds as the child grows older.

3. Oral Hygiene: Lip tie, especially if it causes a gap between the teeth (diastema), might impact oral hygiene. Food particles can get trapped more easily, potentially increasing the risk of dental issues like cavities.

4. Nutrition and Weight Gain: Tongue tie can sometimes lead to poor weight gain in infants due to inefficient feeding. Ensuring proper nutrition and growth might be a concern if feeding difficulties persist.

5. Dental and Orthodontic Considerations: Lip ties can be associated with spacing issues in the teeth and could potentially affect orthodontic treatment needs later in life.

6. Social and Emotional Impact: Children with untreated tongue or lip tie might experience frustration or embarrassment related to speech or feeding difficulties, impacting their social and emotional well-being.

7. Treatment Options: If tongue tie or lip tie is causing significant issues, a minor surgical procedure called a frenotomy or frenectomy can be performed to release the tight frenulum. This is often a straightforward outpatient procedure with minimal risk.

It's important for parents to consult with healthcare professionals, such as lactation consultants, pediatricians, or pediatric dentists, if they suspect their child has tongue tie or lip tie and is experiencing related difficulties. A thorough assessment can help determine the best course of action, which might include observation, feeding support, or a surgical procedure if necessary.

Call (02) 9558 8988 Or email us at info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au to make an appointment. Our Dr. Lisa Chong with over 30 years of clinical experience will be happy to help you.

Adult Tongue Tie

You are probably aware of what a tongue tie is if you have read our previous blog posts. It is essentially a condition that you are born with where your tongue has limited movement due to a shortened piece of skin which connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is usually an issue that is apparent in infants; however it is also prevalent in the adult population. Many adults have gone through life with an un-diagnosed tongue tie. This may seem as an irrelevant issue; however you would be surprised to know just how many different symptoms it could cause ranging from social to sleeping and dental problems such as:

• Inability to open mouth widely which affects pronunciation of certain letters and inability to speak clearly when talking fast or loud.

• Pain or clicking in one or both jaw joints

• Headaches or migraines.

• Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain.

• Increased risk for developing gum inflammation and cavities.

• Mouth breathing leading to frequently dry mouth.

• Sleep apnea which affects the quality of your sleep. You may be waking up tired often and have an increased need to take afternoon naps.

• Crooked teeth

 A good way to test whether or not your tongue is tied is by opening your mouth to it's full extent and then extending the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth. If you are unable to do this, then there is a possibility that you are tongue tied and you should probably book an appointment with your Dentist for a full examination. 

Treatment of the adult tongue involves a procedure using a laser where the piece of skin restricting the tongue movement is released. At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, in the hands of our experienced clinician you are guaranteed to have a pain free experience. Post operative care involves performing a range of simple exercises for a period of time to prevent re-attachment and scaring. 

If you have any questions in regards to adult tongue ties or suspect that you may have this condition feel free to call us on (02) 9558 8988 to book a consultation appointment.

Tongue Ties Breastfeeding problems

There are various reasons as to why your baby is failing to breastfeed. Sometimes it is due to anatomical reasons such as tongue and lip ties that are preventing the baby from latching appropriately.

Firstly, tongue and lip ties prevent a baby from opening his or her mouth widely enough, and thus will result in the baby not latching onto the nipple properly and possibly chewing on it. Additionally, due to the tension caused by the short frenum the tongue is unable to protrude horizontally past the gum ridge/lips and thus it unable to protect the nipple from injury. This will cause severe pain and discomfort for the mother. You may also notice that milk is dribbling from the mouth while the baby is sucking. This is due to the baby’s inability to make a good seal around the breast with his/her lips. This can sometimes also be caused by the presence of a lip tie, which limits the mobility of the upper lip.

Inappropriate breastfeeding technique not only affects the mother, but it also affects the baby. The baby will not be receiving the required nutrient intake and thus will lead to weight loss.

To summarise, some signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Nipple damage: cracking, bruising, blistering, misshapen nipple after breastfeeding

• Pain: most common symptom that a mother experiences. Painful breastfeeding is usually not normal.

• Incomplete Breast Drainage: can be caused by various reasons which includes inability to draw enough negative intraoral pressure due to poor seal and inadequate use of tongue

• Decrease in milk supply over time

• Clicking sound while breast feeding (this is not always linked to tongue ties- perhaps you can consult a lactation nurse about the other reasons that cause this issue)

If you have any information or would like to book your child in for an examination please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 9558 8988.

Pain Free Dentist Sydney: G01A, 570 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park NSW 2193