
May
Also known as a maxillary lip tie, an upper lip tie can be painful for babies. Likewise, it can cause functional problems and oral health issues in a child’s mouth if left untreated. Every baby is born with a piece of tissue known as the labial frenulum behind the upper lip. Let’s explore more of what an upper lip tie is and what treatment is best for your little one.
When the labial frenulum membranes are too short (tight), thick, or stiff, an upper lip tie forms. While young children, teens and adults can develop lip ties, it is much more common in babies (about 4-11%). Breastfeeding problems are commonly the cause. As long as your child is experiencing normal weight gain and healthy development, a lip tie does not pose any threat.
Do you want to check to see if your baby has a lip tie? If you notice any of these signs, it is time to seek help and treatment.
A severe lip tie could be obvious. Although, it is still important to seek medical advice from your pediatric healthcare provider.
There are four different severities of an upper lip tie. The higher the class, the more severe the lip tie.
Learn about the difference between a tongue tie and lip tie in our blog.
Depending on the severity of the lip tie, your baby can be showing a number of symptoms. A lip tie can create a fussy baby who is experiencing pain and a number of problems.
Your baby may not be getting his or her proper caloric intake due to any one of these signs. Plus, a mother’s discomfort and frustration can affect breastfeeding and adequate milk supply.
Similarly, your young child may not be getting the proper nutrients and caloric intake because of pain and frustration.
*Important note: Please have a lactation consultant or pediatric dentist confirm that an upper lip tie is the problem before seeking treatment.
A frenectomy (lip-tie reversal) is a simple procedure to fix the problem. After a numbing solution is put on the frenulum, the upper lip tie is snipped using a small, handheld laser. The entire procedure is just a few minutes.
The most important thing is finding a pediatric dentist who will be empathetic to your baby’s pain. Contact the premier pediatric dental team of Atlanta at Nia Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment. We have offices in Canton and East Cobb.
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