As a parent, you may be excited about certain things with your baby to go away. From waking up in the middle of the night for feedings and changing diapers, these are just a few that they will eventually outgrow. However, if your loved one has a lip or tongue-tie, you may wonder whether to worry about it now or wait to see if it will go away on its own. Here’s what you need to know and how it’s best not to postpone treatment.
What Are Lip and Tongue-Ties?
Before diving into why it’s a good idea to treat lip and tongue-ties, it’s best to get a good understanding of them. In short, this trait is caused when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the upper lip to the gums is too short or thick. They restrict the movement of the respective structures and cause several problems, such as:
- Slow weight gain
- Trouble breathing during feeding
- Fatigue while nursing
- Difficulty latching on
So, Will Lip and Tongue-Ties Go Away Over Time?
Although lip and tongue-ties can cause issues for your baby, they unfortunately don’t go away as they grow up. The tissue restricting movement won’t stretch or loosen, meaning they will still feel its effects in the decades ahead of them. A few symptoms they can experience from their teen years to adulthood are speech impediments, eating and nutritional trouble, and even sleep apnea.
How Can a Lip or Tongue-Tie Get Fixed?
The good news is that there is a way your child can get their lip or tongue tie fixed, and that’s with a frenectomy. With a soft tissue laser, their dentist will gently remove the tissue that’s causing trouble. Since state-of-the-art technology is used, your loved one can enjoy a much more comfortable treatment with a quicker healing process. Better yet, they will be able to nurse right after!
In the end, lip and tongue ties can be trouble for your loved one. By talking to their provider, you can learn more about how correcting it now can have lasting benefits. That way, they avoid any trouble and get toward the healthier smile they love.
About the Practice
At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Durga Devarakonda and Dr. Holland Morrison. We are dedicated to helping smiles in the local community be the best they deserve to be, especially growing grins. By working with you, we can help make sure your child doesn’t have any problems with their lip or tongue-tie by treating it with an effective, comfortable service. If you want to have a question, schedule an appointment, or call our office at (972) 236-7906.