Tongue and lip ties are more common than many parents realize, but misinformation often surrounds these conditions. However, understanding the truth can help parents make informed decisions that benefit the oral health of their children. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common myths surrounding lip and tongue ties and why they simply aren’t true, along with how a laser frenectomy might be the perfect solution for helping your child.
Myth #1: Tongue and Lip Ties are Harmless
Unfortunately, children with tongue and lip ties may face many dangerous scenarios if left untreated, starting with difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, which can chain into issues like malnutrition and poor weight gain. It’s also frustrating for mothers – the anxiety resulting from children being unable to feed properly can be a tough burden to bear. Babies with tongue and lip ties also tend to suffer from painful reflux, colic (excessive crying), and fussiness, among issues like choking, gagging, and impaired speech development as the child grows older.
Myth #2: You Can “Stretch Out” a Tongue-Tie
Tongue ties occur when there is an abnormality with the connective tissue that attaches the tongue or lips to the gum tissue, respectively. This means that if it’s too long, too short, or otherwise restricted, it can greatly impact a child’s ability to speak and eat and speak. Believe it or not, this area’s ability to stretch is actually less than 1%, despite the amount of mobility it provides for the tongue and lips. Often, the tissue must be carefully reshaped in order to grant free mobility of the tongue and/or lips.
Myth #3: Tongue and Lip Ties Can Correct Themselves
Many problems in life tend to go away with time – a bad haircut will remedy itself as the hair regrows, and small cuts and scrapes regenerate without us needing to intervene. That said, tongue and lip ties do not fall into this category. It’s often recommended that the issue is addressed early on in life so that speech and eating impairments do not develop. A laser frenectomy is now considered the “go-to” method for addressing lip and tongue ties; rather than relying on a scalpel, dentists can use a special type of soft tissue laser to gently reshape or release the frenulum as needed to resolve the tie.
Understanding the realities of tongue and lip ties is essential for ensuring proper care and support. If you suspect your child has a tongue or lip tie, don’t wait to consult with their dentist to evaluate the condition and determine the best course of action!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has proudly served families in the Pelham area for several years, offering a wide range of services for children of all ages including laser phrenectomies to address lip and tongue ties. If you have any questions about the blog, or you would like to set up an appointment for your little one, please feel free to contact us online or over the phone for further information. Telephone: (603) 635-1166.