A lip tie or tongue tie in a child occurs when the tissue that connects the lip to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or thick, restricting movement. These conditions can impact breastfeeding, speech development, and oral health. Parents often wonder whether these ties will resolve on their own or require intervention. Here’s what to know.
Will a Lip or Tongue Tie Go Away on Its Own?
In many cases, mild forms of lip or tongue ties may not require treatment and can improve over time. As a child grows, the frenulum, which is the tissue causing the tie, may naturally stretch and loosen. This can result in improved mobility of the lip or tongue. For babies with mild ties, the issues they cause, like difficulties breastfeeding, can lessen as the baby grows and adapts. However, significant ties often persist without treatment and may continue to cause problems if left unaddressed.
Signs That a Tie May Need Intervention
If a lip or tongue tie is causing significant feeding difficulties, speech delays, or oral health concerns, it may not resolve on its own and intervention could be necessary. Common signs that a tie may need attention include difficulty latching during breastfeeding, slow weight gain in infancy, delayed speech development, and the inability to stick the tongue out past the lower front teeth. Older children may experience speech impediments or struggle with oral hygiene due to restricted mobility. In such cases, pediatricians or specialists often recommend a frenectomy, a simple surgical procedure to release the tie.
Consulting with a Healthcare Professional
It’s essential for parents to consult a healthcare professional if they suspect their child has a lip or tongue tie. An experienced pediatrician, pediatric dentist, or lactation consultant can evaluate the severity of the tie and help determine if it’s likely to improve on its own or if treatment is needed. They will consider factors like the child’s age, feeding patterns, speech development, and overall oral health. Early detection and treatment, when necessary, can prevent potential long-term effects on eating, speech, and dental development.
About the Author
Dr. Ryne S. Paulson loves working with kids, and as a pediatric dentist he finds it enormously rewarding to help all kinds of little ones look and feel their best! Working with patients from infancy to adolescence means that no two days are the same, and he constantly gets to challenge himself. Dr. Paulson received his dental degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
If you have any questions about tongue ties, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (307) 266-1997.