The Consequences of an
Uncorrected Tongue or Lip Tie

The proper freedom of movement of the tongue and lip is a skill whose importance is not always well understood. In fact, we often don’t think about it at all unless there is a problem. Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, and the less-common lip tie can cause serious problems at any stage of life if they are not identified and properly treated.

These conditions can be spotted and easily addressed in very young infants with a simple outpatient procedure. However, concern over subjecting babies to a treatment that may be seen as unnecessary can cause some health care providers to hesitate to recommend it. Here’s why the benefits of a frenectomy should outweigh these problems:

• Breastfeeding

  One of the most well-known complications of a tongue or lip tie is difficulty in breastfeeding effectively. A tongue-tied baby cannot extend the tongue far enough to properly latch and stimulate the milk ducts. A lip-tied baby cannot create the proper nursing seal to maintain a good latch. The result is a reduced milk supply as well as pain and damage for the mother; fussiness, failure to gain weight, or even weight loss for the baby; and often premature abandonment of the attempt to breastfeed.

• Feeding

  Children who have tongue ties have limited range of motion of the tongue. This can impact solid feeding, as these children will often not be able to move food around the oral cavity well. The lack of bolus control often causes kids to have difficulty processing and breaking down the food. This could result to swallowing larger chunks of food, difficulty swallowing, choking, or gagging. These children often grow up to become very picky eaters.

• Dental

  Inadequate tongue or lip mobility can have a serious impact on dental health. The tongue is important in sweeping food debris from around the teeth; when a tongue tie restricts that free movement, tooth decay and gum inflammation result. A lip tie can restrict the ability to correctly clean the upper front teeth, also producing decay and inflammation, and can create a gap between the maxillary central incisors, interfering with proper tooth alignment.

• Speech

  Restricted tongue movement can interfere with speech articulation, making it difficult to clearly produce sounds that require a larger range of motion. When severe, the struggle to speak clearly can contribute to speech delays and even affect the self-esteem of young children.

• Jaw Development

  If a tongue tie is not addressed early in life, abnormal tongue positioning can cause the palate to become abnormally high-arched or vaulted. This restricts room in the nasal passageways and can exacerbate mouth-breathing, congestion, and allergies as an adult. One possible effect is an increased risk of sleep apnea. Children and adults with narrow jaws also suffer from increased orthodontic crowding and malalignment of their teeth in the future.

• Social

  Untreated tongue and lip ties can make it difficult or impossible to perform other typical oral activities, such as licking an ice cream cone, kissing, or playing a wind instrument. While these may not seem like serious restrictions, the inability to participate in normal activities may contribute to anxiety or poor self-esteem.

• A Simple, Safe Solution

  The potential complications of a tongue or lip tie can be easily avoided with a timely laser frenectomy. This short, precise in-office procedure is effective and minimally invasive, and produces instant results with rapid healing. At Calabasas Pediatric Dentistry, our extensive experience with tongue and lip ties allows us to accurately diagnose patients who would benefit from treatment and provide immediate relief.

  To find out more about the consequences of leaving tongue and lip ties untreated and the benefits of laser frenectomy, contact us here.