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Lip & Tongue-Tie Common Symptoms – Phillipsburg, NJ

Telling Signs of
Lip & Tongue-Ties

 

Most patients with lip and tongue-ties are diagnosed as very young children, but many people with these conditions grow to be teens and adults without having them treated. Knowing what symptoms to keep an eye out for can help someone seek out the treatment they need, either for their child or themselves. The signs tend to be different for patients depending on their age. If you believe you or a child are currently dealing with a lip or tongue-tie, look over the page below to see if any of the lip and tongue-tie common symptoms from Phillipsburg, NJ patients and parents sound familiar. If anything does, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia-DeMartino, and she’ll be happy to provide a proper diagnosis and discuss treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Garcia-DeMartino for Lip & Tongue-Tie?

  • Laser Treatment Expert with Nearly 20 Years of Experience
  • Surgical Loupes Ensure Minimally Invasive Treatment
  • Doctor is a Mother of 4 Who Can Empathize with Parents

Common Symptoms for Babies

Crying baby in need of lip and tongue tie treatment

The most obvious sign that a baby has a lip or tongue-tie is that they have difficulty nursing, or they become very fussy when feeding. This is because the act can be quite uncomfortable because they cannot move their lips and tongue to create a proper seal around the nipple. But, there are other symptoms parents should be aware of as well:

  • Slow/inadequate weight gain
  • Excessive spit up
  • Feedings that take a long time
  • Nursing session ended abruptly and early
  • A lack of physical bond between mother and child
  • Sleep deprivation and disrupted sleep patterns
  • Difficult introducing solid foods
  • Aversion to certain resting positions
  • Clicking or other oral noises when nursing

Common Symptoms for Nursing Mothers

Woman experiencing pain and struggling to breastfeed

Of course, lip and tongue-ties don’t just affect infants, but nursing mothers as well. Be sure to let us know if you encounter any of the following while trying to breastfeed your child:

  • Pain with breastfeeding (because the child is struggling to latch)
  • Red, swollen, or otherwise damaged nipples
  • Mastitis, nipple thrush, or blocked ducts
  • Inability to get milk flowing
  • Inconsistent or insufficient milk flow
  • Sleep disruption because feedings take such a long time
  • Depression or sense of failure

Common Symptoms for Older Children

Child with head on arms in dental office

As a child grows, the symptoms of lip and tongue-tie change. While older children can let you know when something doesn’t feel right, they likely won’t be able to tell they are dealing with one or both of these conditions. As a parent, you may notice:

  • Difficulty chewing solid foods
  • Frequently gagging, choking, and or vomiting foods
  • Excessively picky about food
  • Difficulty performing basic oral hygiene
  • Speech impediment (such as a lisp)
  • Delayed speech development (difficulty saying certain syllables compared to other children)
  • Behavioral issues/hyperactivity
  • Frequent cavities and other oral health issues
  • Noticeably large space between the front two teeth

Common Symptoms for Adults

Man with headache in need of lip  and tongue tie treatment

Milder cases of lip and tongue-tie may go untreated until adulthood, and typically, a patient is able to live a relatively normal life. However, there are a few clear signs that an adult is dealing with these issues:

  • Difficulty chewing hard foods like steak or apples
  • Speech impediment(s) that haven’t been helped with therapy
  • Difficulty speaking clearly when rushed or tired
  • Frequent choking while eating
  • Difficulty practicing adequate oral hygiene because part of the teeth are blocked by the lips
  • Frequent cavities
  • Persistent issues with gum disease
  • Persistent headaches/migraines
  • Chronic neck and shoulder pain
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)