There is a common misconception that a child’s lip or tongue tie will eventually go away on its own. Many professionals believe that if you wait long enough, the banded tissue will stretch and allow for improved movement over time. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When recognizing that your child’s lip or tongue cannot function properly because of a tie, it’s best to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Here’s why.
Will a Lip or Tongue Tie Go Away Without Treatment?
No. Lip and tongue ties will not stretch or magically go away with time. Instead, they will likely cause serious issues with each new stage of development.
During infancy, babies can struggle to breastfeed or take a bottle, resulting in poor weight gain, acid reflux, fussiness, and excessive spit up. Once a child reaches toddlerhood, the problems can increase, making it difficult for them to eat and digest solid food.
Problems can also develop during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood if left untreated. A speech impediment or delay may form, or mouth breathing may become more prominent, which is a common risk factor associated with sleep apnea. Gaps between front teeth and poor oral health and hygiene are also possible when living with a lip or tongue tie.
What Kind of Treatment is Available?
Instead of allowing a child to experience these struggles as they grow older, it’s best to seek professional treatment early on. This means talking to a dentist about a procedure known as a frenectomy.
This safe and highly effective solution releases the banded tissue to allow the lip or tongue to move freely up and down and side to side. Within minutes, the child will no longer experience restriction but instead enjoy greater oral function that allows them to eat, breathe, and speak with ease.
Although there may be a slight adjustment phase after treatment is complete, the baby or child will soon become accustomed to the wider range of motion and begin to use their lip or tongue freely.
Instead of watching your child suffer, consider the benefits of a frenectomy so that they can experience what it is like to eat, breathe, and speak without restriction.
About the Author
Dr. Homer Sedighi is a board-certified pediatric dentist who provides lip and tongue tie treatment to babies and children experiencing oral restriction. With the help of a frenectomy, he can release the banded tissues to ensure greater movement when eating, speaking, and breathing, especially at night. If you have an infant or little one who experiences common issues related to lip and tongue tie, contact us at (636) 777-7777 to schedule an appointment.