An Inside Look at the Rise in Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment

Even after watching endless informative videos, taking multiple parenting classes, and reading countless educational books, it’s inevitable that parenthood will bring some surprises. For example, your child having difficulty securely latching during breastfeeding due to a lip or tongue tie. The cases of treatment have spiked in recent years, causing many parents to wonder if the condition is more prevalent now. Keep reading to learn the answer and who you should talk to if your child has one!

What Are Tongue & Lip Ties?

Tongue and lip ties both are conditions that affect young children. It’s characterized by a frenulum (a band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lips to the gums) that prevents the lips and tongue from moving freely. While this issue can resolve on its own for some children, that’s not always the case. Most often, this problem will become evident through difficulty latching during breastfeeding or an inability to say certain words clearly.

So, Why Are We Seeing More Tongue & Lip Ties Now?

While the cases of lip and tongue ties haven’t spiked, the treatments certainly have. There are a few reasons for this. First, bottle-feeding was touted as the superior option years prior, leading many mothers to wean their babies sooner rather than later. It wasn’t until recent years when breastfeeding became popular again that parents began to take note of latching issues. Plus, while archaic “treatments” included midwives using a sharp fingernail to cut the frenulum, state-of-the-art technology allows for comfortable, safe, effective laser dentistry to do the job – no bleeding or stitches needed!

Who Should You Talk to About Tongue or Lip Ties for Your Child?

If your child is exhibiting symptoms that suggest they have a tongue or lip tie (like difficulty securely latching while breastfeeding), then it’s a good idea to talk to a pediatric dentist. During this appointment, they can learn about your concerns, take a look at your child’s mouth, and determine the next best steps. Don’t worry – they will explain each of your options in-depth to ensure that you can make an informed decision on what’s best for your little one.

About the Practice

Leading our team at Happy Teeth Levittown is board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Amar Singh. In addition to being trained by a leading specialist in laser dentistry, he has state-of-the-art CO2 laser technology and offers sedation dentistry for patients struggling with dental-related anxiety. With our talented, compassionate, and friendly team at his side, he has helped numerous children enjoy a more comfortable, healthy, functional smile. If you’re interested in learning more about lip and tongue tie treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call 267-580-9657.