Infant Lip-Ties: 4 Potential Problems That Can Develop

With the arrival of a new baby, there are many challenges parents can face when it comes to feeding, sleeping, and daily care. Whether it’s your first child or fifth, a lip-tie can present many problems if left untreated or undiscovered. If you think your little one may be struggling with limited oral movement, here are 4 potential problems that can stem from this restricted band of tissue and what you can do to get them the help they need.

4 Ways a Lip-Tie Can Negatively Impact an Infant’s Development

You may not know immediately if your baby has a lip-tie. Oftentimes, it takes a dental expert to examine your little one’s mouth to determine if the tissue located behind the upper lip is restricted. However, if an appointment is not yet on your radar, consider the following list to be indicators of a more serious problem that needs professional treatment:

1. Your Baby Has Trouble Nursing. A lip-tie can make nursing a challenge. Because the restricted tissue prevents the baby from latching properly, they are unable to get an adequate amount of milk while feeding. This can result in poor weight gain and a lack of valuable nutrients your little one needs.
2. Your Baby Experiences Delayed Speech. Although your infant will not begin talking or babbling much right away, an untreated lip-tie can lead to a speech delay as they grow older. Minimal oral movement can make it difficult to form certain sounds and words – an issue that, if left untreated, can cause embarrassment once a child is in school.
3. Your Baby Experiences Oral Health Issues. When the band of tissue located behind the upper lip is too tight or too short, it can cause a gap to form between your little one’s upper front two teeth when they erupt. This can increase their risk of dental decay and gum disease if proper oral hygiene is not regularly practiced.
4. Your Child Can Experience a Lack of Confidence. As your little one grows older, an untreated lip-tie can become more prominent, making it harder for your child to speak clearly, eat certain foods, and even breathe comfortably. They may sleep with their mouth open because their lip-tie doesn’t allow it to close, or they may be teased by their peers for the way they talk or eat.

How a Dental Expert Can Help

Seeing a trusted lip-tie expert can be an ideal first step in helping your little one experience greater oral movement. Administering what is known as a frenectomy to release the banded tissue, the procedure is fast and easy, allowing your little one to immediately begin nursing once it is complete. They will be able to move their lip freely and latch normally.

By choosing to be proactive about your little one’s lip-tie, you’ll find that these early years are more enjoyable, and your child will not only experience better oral health but also be able to eat, speak, and smile without fear of embarrassment.

About the Author
Dr. Justin Welke is a board-certified pediatric dentist who completed his general dentistry training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After a two-year pediatric dentistry advanced program at the UIC Hospital, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Offering laser frenectomies, he and his team believe in early detection so that infants have the best chance to grow healthily and happily. If you suspect your child has a lip-tie, contact us via our website or by calling (312) 248-2455.