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Read time: 7 min
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Posted on:
Read time: 7 min
Posted on:
In a person’s mouth, the upper lip is attached to the gums by connective tissue. In some people, however, this tissue can be too tight and short, restricting the lip’s ability to move normally.
When this happens, it is called a lip tie. Lip ties can cause issues for breastfeeding babies and can lead to dental problems in young children. Read on to learn about what exactly a lip tie is.
We all have a piece of tissue that lies behind our upper lip. This tissue is called the frenulum (or maxillary labial frenulum). This frenulum helps our lips move freely. Sometimes this tissue is too thick, short, or tight, and when this is the case, it is called a lip tie. A lip tie can make it difficult for a baby to breastfeed, which may result in the baby having trouble gaining weight.
Lip tie symptoms in infants
Lip tie symptoms in children and adults
There are four different classes of lip ties, Class 1 being the mildest and Class 4 being the most severe. The classes of lip ties depend on where the frenulum is attached.
Lip ties are typically diagnosed through physicals. They are sometimes diagnosed by dentists. A physical exam with a doctor will examine your infant’s mouth to check for lip movement and any unusual attachments of tissue. If your baby is having difficulty with breastfeeding, a doctor may observe to see if the baby is having trouble with their latch.
Lip ties may not always cause problems, but occasionally they can lead to complications, especially in infants. However, babies that have trouble with breastfeeding may experience malnourishment or dehydration. You may need to switch to bottle-feeding with breast milk or formula if they are having trouble.
Lip ties can also give rise to dental issues in children. This is because having a lip tie can cause food to become trapped in the teeth due to the upper lip. Bacterial buildup in this area can also cause the gums to recede.
Lip ties can also cause breastfeeding issues: The mother may experience soreness, cracks, or itching in the nipple area. The breastfeeding woman may also experience pain during or after nursing.
Understanding the difference between a lip tie, a labial frenulum, and a tongue tie can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with mouth anatomy, so let’s break it down.
Some medical professionals have argued that a lip tie can put children at greater risk for cavities because bacteria can build up in the area behind the upper lip because of the lip tie. In general, however, a lip tie is not a cause for concern in kids.
A lip tie does not always require medical treatment. If a baby has trouble with breastfeeding, it’s best to contact a lactation consultant who specializes in breastfeeding.
Another treatment for lip ties is lip tie revisions. Lip tie revisions involve a doctor loosening the labial frenulum by cutting it with a laser, scalpel, or scissors with local anesthesia.
A lip tie can affect breastfeeding because the baby may have trouble latching on to the nipple during feedings. This may result in more feeding sessions being necessary, an underweight or dehydrated infant, and sore and irritated breasts in the mother.
You should see a doctor if your infant is having trouble breastfeeding or trouble eating from a spoon. It is vital to ensure that your baby grows normally and has an appropriate weight for optimal development. You may want to see a dentist if your own lip tie or your child’s lip tie is causing dental issues, such as cavities or gum recession.
Lip ties are diagnosed when there is a short or tight lip frenulum, which is the tissue that connects your upper lip to your gums.
Lip ties can cause various issues, such as trouble breastfeeding, fatigue in the mother, and slow weight gain in infants. Some medical professionals believe lip tie can lead to dental problems in childhood.
Most of the time, babies can adjust to having a lip tie; seeing a lactation consultant or pediatrician can help parents determine possible solutions and treatments. Occasionally, when lip tie is more severe, a doctor can do a lip revision, which involves making an incision in the lip frenulum to loosen the upper lip.
A lip tie is not always a cause for concern, unless it interferes with breastfeeding. If you are concerned that your child or infant has a lip tie or has trouble breastfeeding, it is time to reach out to a doctor.
Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.
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