A tongue tie is when the skin underneath is extending too far towards the front; a lip tie, meanwhile, is when the upper lip is tethered to the gum line. Both of these conditions can inhibit breastfeeding in infants and, thus, development. To help you understand some basic facts about the two, Alaska Dentistry for Kids, a top special needs dentistry office in Anchorage, has shared their knowledge.

3 Facts About Lip & Tongue Tie

Tongue Tie Diagnosis Is Not Always Clear

There is no concrete diagnosis for a tongue tie. This is because all infants are born with a frenulum, or the bit of skin that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. However, signs of a tongue tie could include painful breastfeeding, the loss of suction or clicking noises while feeding, or a lower-than-average weight gain. 

Lip Ties Have 4 Categories

Lip ties can be separated into four main categories, but they only are classified by anatomy as opposed to severity. For lip ties, this classification is the restriction of the lip elevation. While lip ties are often associated with difficulty in breastfeeding, there are few scientific facts to uphold this theory. Most lip ties change over time, growing smaller with age.

Speech Is Not Affected

Through the popular phrase “tongue-tied,” many often assume the condition will affect their child's speech. However, neither a lip nor a tongue tie has any relation to vocal ability.

If your child has a lip or tongue tie you feel may need alteration, consider visiting a children's dentist. Alaska Dentistry for Kids uses a special tongue tie laser to effectively and quickly remedy the problem. Their specialists have years of experience and can help solve any dental problem as they occur. For more information, visit their website, or call (907) 274-2525 today.