Does My Child Need A Frenectomy? Recognizing The Signs Of Tongue & Lip Ties

If your child has tongue or lip ties, they may need a frenectomy. Tongue and lip ties happen when the bands of tissue attaching the tongue to the base of the mouth or the lips to the gums are too thick and overdeveloped.

This restricts oral range of motion and can result in feeding and weight gain issues in infants, and other issues like speech impediments in older kids. Because of this, laser frenectomies are often recommended to snip these bands of tissue, eliminating tongue and lip ties. 

But does your child really need one? In this blog from Arctic Dental, we’ll discuss a few top signs of tongue and lip ties, and help you recognize whether or not your child needs a frenectomy from Dr. Jarod.

Recognizing The Signs Of Tongue Ties (Ankyloglossia)

First, you may notice that your child has difficulties sticking their tongue all the way out or moving it from side to side. This is because the overdeveloped frenulum interferes with its range of motion.

Also, you should look for a “notched” or “heart-shaped” appearance when they stick out their tongue. This is usually an indicator of a tongue tie.

The main way to recognize tongue ties, though, is related to feeding, particularly breastfeeding. Your child may have problems latching onto the breast, and may take a long time to feed. They may also fall asleep, drool, or “gum” and chew the nipple while feeding.  Some mothers find breastfeeding to be painful due to the extra work an infant needs to do while feeding if he or she has a tongue tie.

These feeding difficulties can also result in difficulties gaining weight. If your child is not gaining weight at the expected rate, this could indicate a tongue tie that’s interfering with their ability to feed properly. 

In older kids, tongue ties may also cause or contribute to speech impediments, particularly making sounds like “th” “d” and “z” which require the tongue to contact the upper teeth and palate. 

Recognizing The Signs Of Lip Ties

Lip ties are usually a bit harder than tongue ties to recognize on your own. Similarly to tongue ties, most people notice lip ties when their child has trouble breastfeeding. Lip ties restrict the range of motion of your child’s lips.

This means it’s harder for them to make a tight seal around the nipple and to feed properly. Your baby may be frustrated or fussy while nursing, require long nursing sessions, and have difficulties maintaining a proper latch on the breast while feeding.

Again, this can result in poor overall weight gain in infants. If you notice these issues, consult with your pediatrician right away. Tongue and lip ties can cause feeding issues, but it’s important to rule out other health issues, too.

If a child uses a pacifier or sucks on a finger or thumb teeth may be pushed into the gums by the habit making the appearance of a lip tie. If your child has a habit be sure to let your dentist know so they can properly evaluate your child.

Get A Consultation At Arctic Dental And Get The Help You Need In Muscatine!

Whether your pediatrician has already diagnosed your child with tongue and/or lip ties, or you recognize some of the above symptoms, Dr. Jarod is here to help. As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Jarod can check your child for tongue and lip ties and recommend the appropriate treatment, such as a frenectomy. So don’t wait. Contact us online or call us at (563) 607-5979 to schedule an appointment right away.