Now that your little one has grown beyond infancy and entered toddlerhood, you may find there are discoveries that either didn’t exist or were not as evident before. Lip-ties may not present themselves as a problem when your little one is a baby; however, as they get older, the change in their facial development may cause this band of tissue to impose greater restriction, making it harder for them to perform normal daily tasks. To find out the kind of issues your little one may develop as a result of a lip-tie, keep reading.

What Kind of Problems Can a Toddler Experience with Lip-Tie?

Various issues can form should your little ones’ lip-tie remain untreated. Although tongue-ties appear to be more common, restricted bands of tissue can exist behind the upper lip and cause significant problems to develop over time.

Should you notice any of the following, make sure to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentist:

• Difficulty eating – Whether your toddler is still nursing or not, eating can become a challenge. If the band behind the lip remains tight, it can make latching or even using a spoon more difficult because of the minimal mobility of the upper lip. As a result, you may find that your child grows fussier during these times, and they may struggle to gain weight.
• Speech impediment – While toddlers are in the early stages of forming words, they are continuing to learn various phrases and often attempt to make the same word or sound. As they grow older, should the lip-tie remain untreated, they may develop a lisp or another type of speech impediment that can make saying certain words difficult.
• Poor oral health – When you or your child struggles to adequately clean their upper row of teeth because of a lip-tie, it can expose them to a greater risk of dental decay and gum disease. If the toothbrush cannot thoroughly remove bacteria, the teeth and soft tissues become vulnerable.

How Can a Frenectomy Help?

Treating your child’s lip-tie with a frenectomy is the most effective way to improve the mobility of their upper lip as well as their oral and overall health.

This process, which is safe to use and highly effective, incorporates the use of a soft tissue laser that gently releases the band of tissue. As the concentrated beam of light moves across the area, it slowly lacerates the tie so that the upper lip can begin to move freely.

Cauterizing while it cuts, the laser helps to minimize bleeding as well as swelling, and there is a lowered chance of infection because of its ability to sterile the area during the procedure.

Although it may feel a bit unnerving to have your little one undergo such a procedure, treating your child’s lip-tie early on is the best way to minimize potential problems later on in life.

About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists who are fathers first. Understanding the uncertainty that can come with learning your child has a lip and/or tongue tie, they remain committed to providing honest, complete information to help parents like yourself make well-informed decisions about your child’s oral and overall health. Customizing treatment plans based on your little one’s specific needs, we will explain the process in its entirety in a way that is easy to understand and gives you greater peace of mind. Visit our website or call (469) 301-3212 to find out how we can better assist in improving your child’s dental health.