Lip and Tongue Tie Truths: 3 Myths Not to Believe

Do you have an infant who struggles to latch when feeding or seems particularly fussy? If so, they might have a lip or tongue tie. This condition occurs when the band of tissue under their tongue or behind their lips, referred to as a frenulum, is too thick, tight, or short. This hinders the mobility of their mouth, impacting everything from their eating habits to their speech development.

However, some well-meaning parents avoid treating their child’s lip or tongue tie because they’ve heard misinformation about what’s involved. Continue reading to learn 3 myths about this condition you shouldn’t believe!

Myth #1: It Will Eventually Stretch Out

Babies are born with a lot of growing left to do, and it’s normal to assume that their overly-tight frenulum will expand along with the rest of their body as they develop. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually the case. Although there’s a chance that milder cases might improve on their own over time, typically, this taut band of tissue doesn’t elongate or tear sufficiently to prevent side effects associated with this condition.

Thankfully, many dentists can provide a frenectomy to improve your child’s oral health. This usually involves using a soft-tissue laser to carefully remove a small amount of tissue, restoring the full range of motion to the tongue or lips. This cauterizes the area, resulting in minimal bleeding and a short recovery time.  

Myth #2: It’s Not That Serious

You might think your child’s condition is nothing to be overly concerned about, and in minor cases, that may be true. However, there can be long-term consequences of not treating their lip or tongue tie.

For example, they might struggle to eat if their restricted tissues keep them from latching properly during breastfeeding. Then, as they grow, they may encounter challenges manipulating their mouths around utensils or shifting mashed food to the back of their throat for easy swallowing and digestion.

They may also develop speech impediments, jaw tension, or bite misalignments, which can negatively impact their daily quality of life. As a result, it’s best to treat their lip or tongue tie as soon as you notice the problem.

Myth #3: You Can Treat It Yourself

Are you considering clipping the thick tissue yourself with a pair of scissors? You might assume this will improve your child’s condition, but doing so can put their oral and overall health at risk.

For starters, you don’t have the same experience or state-of-the-art equipment for an accurate outcome.  Making an incision yourself might cause bleeding or infection that requires emergency services.

Meanwhile, your child’s provider can safely address the tight band of flesh with minimal risk to their well-being. If you still have questions about the best way to handle your child’s condition, you can learn more by scheduling a consultation with a lip and tongue tie expert, such as their dentist.

Meet the Author

Patients with Dr. N. Garcia-DeMartino Lip & Tongue-Tie Specialist benefit from a dentist dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their lives by enhancing their dental condition. She earned her DMD from Fairleigh Dickinson University and then became an expert in laser dentistry by attending the International World Clinical Laser Institute. Today, she can address lip and tongue ties in a matter of minutes while reducing the likelihood of potential discomfort or complications. You can request an appointment on the website or call (908) 840-8399.