The development of the mouth preconditions the formation of the ability to eat, talk, and be healthy in your child. However, in an infant or young child, one of the issues that may inhibit proper growth is the tongue tie and the lip tie. Luckily, these problems can be successfully solved once they are diagnosed and treated on time.
This article defines tongue-tie and lip-tie, describes their effects on children, and explains the benefits of tongue-tie correction, particularly if handled by reputable practitioners such as the ones at Smiles + Grins.
Understanding Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
If you’re searching for a frenectomy near you, you may wish to learn more about the procedure. Tongue-tie and lip-tie are disorders where the frenulum, which is a small piece of tissue that links the tongue to the lower surface of the mouth or the lip to the gums, is either too tight, thick, or short. Such limitations put hindrances to free movement and may affect normal activities in the mouth.
- Tongue-tie also has an influence on the tongue being immobile, hard to move freely, extend, or even lift.
- Lip-tie is related to the upper lip, and it can limit the movement of the upper lip away from the upper gum.
The conditions are prenatal and of different levels. Some are so unnoticeable, but others can lead to feeding or fussiness problems in infancy. They can also be a cause of problems in speech and oral wellbeing during adulthood if they are not treated.
How Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Affect Feeding
Difficulty when it comes to feeding, especially breastfeeding, is one of the initial symptoms of a tongue-tie or lip-tie. In infants, the conditions can make it hard to latch, which can cause poor weight growth, long feedings, or frustration at the table.
Symptoms that are common with feeding are:
- Problems with the latch or maintaining the latch
- Colic and gas
- Nursing with clicking
- Weak weight gain or failure to thrive
- Painful breastfeeding
Another sign seen in bottle-feeding children is drooling too much, milk spillage, or taking longer during the feeding period. In toddlers and older kids, the result of the ties is difficulty chewing, swallowing, or eating solid food effectively.
The Impact on Speech Development
In childhood, the development of the articulation of speech is based on the free movement of the tongue and the lips. Approximately 1 in 10 children are born with a lip or tongue tie. A child may be unable to combine some sounds distinctly in speech due to a restricted tongue.
Untreated lip-ties and tongue-ties could also be a cause of:
- Late speech development words
- Communicating as a frustration
- Oral motor difficulties, such as difficulty licking or kissing
- Drying social and educational difficulties
Speech-language pathologists can diagnose these speech problems from tongue tie complications; however, oral assessment is frequently the ticket to the revelation that physical limitation is the cause.
The Correction Process: What Parents Can Expect
The positives are that tongue-tie and lip-tie are easily addressed in a safe manner by undergoing a frenectomy. Through this small surgical procedure, the tight frenulum is released, thus allowing a better movement of the tongue or lip.
Major characteristics of the correction process:
- Diagnosis: Thorough examination by a paediatric dentist or other specialist
- Procedure: A soft-tissue laser or scissors is used to perform most frenectomies.
- Duration: The process can only take a few minutes, and in many cases, it can be performed in the office.
- Age: Corrections may be carried out at any age, including infancy and adolescence.
In most cases, the parents are allowed to be with their child in the paediatric tongue tie treatment process, and in most cases, the recovery is swift.
Benefits of Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Corrections
The benefits of tongue-tie correction and lip-tie release tend to be short-term and long-term:
- Better feeding
- Speech development
- Improved dentition
- Increased confidence
- All-around comfort
Why Choose Smiles + Grins for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Corrections
At Smiles + Grins, we comprehend the value of caring and professional treatment that is specifically vital in the case of young children. We are experts in doing minimally invasive laser-assisted frenectomies, which are the most comfortable and precise.
This is why parents believe in Smiles + Grins:
- Child-friendly environment
- Cutting-edge technology
- Teamwork in care
- Qualified doctors
- End-to-end- Comprehensive support
Tips for Parents Post-Correction
There should be tender care and instructive exercises following a frenectomy to stabilise the process of recovery and keep the tissue from connecting again.
Useful after correction advice:
- Follow stretching exercises: Your provider will show you easy stretching exercises to help your healing and prevent a kink.
- Comfort care: Apply age-appropriate pain relief as necessary. You can also calm your child down by breastfeeding or skin contact, or by the use of a pacifier.
- Notice changes in feeding and speech: Changes might be noticeable in a matter of days, and further observation may give insight into progress.
- Follow-ups: Avoid missing follow-up appointments so that you are guaranteed proper healing and can solve any form of concern early enough.
In the hands of a clinician with good care, the majority of them recover fast and demonstrate significant improvements in functionality and comfort.
In Conclusion
Tongue tie and lip-ties may give rise to negative consequences such as feeding and speech impairment, and even the growth of your infant. Luckily, due to early diagnosis and early paediatric tongue tie treatment, they will be able to live a happier life. You can rest easy as we take professional and exceptional care of your family at Smiles + Grins.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, Open MedScience and Smiles + Grins do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of any medical information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, such as a paediatrician, speech therapist, or paediatric dentist, for personalised advice regarding tongue-tie or lip-tie diagnosis and treatment. Reliance on any information in this article is solely at your own risk. Open MedScience does not endorse any specific practitioners or clinics mentioned, and inclusion does not imply a formal partnership.
