Silent Struggle: Discovering the Impact of Untreated Lip and Tongue-Ties 

Do you have a feeling that something might be amiss with your baby, child, or teenager? Their inability to successfully latch or eat solid foods, breathe freely, and speak clearly appears to be taking a toll on their daily life. If you have taken them to a doctor only to be dismissed at the notion that a lip- or tongue-tie might be to blame, do not lose hope. Read on to discover why this problem should not be considered a “fad” and why treatment is essential for positive, life-long change.

What Problems Can Occur with a Lip- or Tongue-Tie?

Depending on the age of your child, they may experience different symptoms related to their lip or tongue-tie. For example:

Babies may struggle to latch while breastfeeding or taking a bottle and become fussy or irritable. They may also develop acid reflux or colic. When attempting to feed your baby, it may become a prolonged process because of the difficulty they experience, which can take a toll on you and your child’s mental and physical health (i.e., fatigue, depression, lack of weight gain, etc.).

Children and teenagers who have a lip- or tongue-tie may have a hard time eating solid foods because of the inability to use their tongue to push objects toward the back of their mouth for consumption and proper digestion. Speech impediments are also common, with many young people developing a lisp because of a lip or tongue-tie. This obstacle, along with the possibility of a gap between the upper front two teeth, can lead to low self-esteem, especially when surrounded by their peers.

Why Do Many Consider These to Be “Fads?”

Unfortunately, many professionals disregard lip- and tongue-ties, viewing them as non-issues. They believe any type of restriction will eventually stretch enough to fix the problem, and performing any kind of surgical procedure is unnecessary.

History, however, shows that lip- and tongue-ties have existed for centuries, and with the rise of breastfeeding among mothers, more cases are becoming evident.

Why a Frenectomy is Important

Instead of allowing your child to suffer in silence (often literally and figuratively), there is a solution that can remedy the problem quickly and almost painlessly.

A frenectomy is a procedure that involves releasing the restricted band of tissue located behind the upper lip or underneath the tongue. Each dentist has their own method of performing this procedure, but many are turning to soft tissue lasers to create a more comfortable experience.

The laser’s concentrated beam of light targets only the tethered tissue, leaving all healthy areas untouched. Using quick motion, the laser not only releases the tie but also sterilizes the tissue, reduces bleeding, and minimizes swelling, all of which ensures a faster recovery time.

Give your child the gift of improved oral mobility by inquiring about a frenectomy. In only a short amount of time, the dentist can eliminate potential or existing problems, allowing for a greater quality of life.

About the Author
Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is a lip and tongue-tie specialist based in Phillipsburg. Attending the International World Clinical Laser Institute, she became an expert in the use of soft tissue and hard tissue lasers. Now, she proudly helps patients suffering from the effects of lip and tongue-ties. If your baby is suffering and unable to latch properly, don’t wait to seek help. Instead, visit our website or call (908) 859-5260 to find out how a scheduled frenectomy can be what your child needs to eat freely and grow healthily.