Every year, countless babies are born with a lip or tongue tie. As a concerned parent, you may turn to the internet to learn about these conditions. While doing so, you may come across several conflicting ideas! You might even be led to believe in some common myths. What is the truth behind common misconceptions about these conditions? This blog post explains.
Myth #1: Lip and Tongue Ties Go Away on Their Own
As time passes, a child might learn to adapt to their lip or tongue tie. However, these issues do not simply “go away,” and the band of tissue (called a frenulum or frenum) that is restricting their oral movements will not simply “stretch out.” An untreated lip or tongue tie can cause problems throughout childhood and even into adulthood.
Myth #2: Lip and Tongue Ties Always Require Surgery
A responsible medical practitioner will never recommend treatment, especially a surgical procedure, unless they truly believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. Unfortunately, in recent years, an increased awareness of lip and tongue ties has led some dentists and physicians to be a bit too eager to recommend surgery. The truth is that some minor cases of lip and tongue tie do not cause serious symptoms.
If you are unsure of whether your child truly needs treatment, it may be best to seek a second opinion.
Myth #3: There Is No Such Thing as a Posterior Tongue Tie
Anterior (toward the front of the mouth) tongue ties are fairly easy to diagnose. However, when the restrictive tissue is farther back in the mouth (known as a posterior tongue tie), a tongue tie can be easy to miss. If your child has symptoms of a tongue tie but has not yet been diagnosed, you may need to talk to a qualified pediatric dentist to find out if there is a problem that requires treatment.
Myth #4: Lip and Tongue Ties Are Harmless
As previously mentioned, some cases of lip and tongue tie are mild enough that no treatment is necessary. More often, though, treatment is required because without it, some serious problems could result. For example, your baby may be fussy and slow to gain weight. There could be significant breastfeeding difficulties. During childhood and adulthood, people with a lip or tongue tie are at a higher risk of speech issues and severe dental health problems.
Myth #5: You Will Not Need to Do Anything after Your Child’s Lip or Tongue Tie Surgery
The reality is that in order to maintain the results of their treatment, you may need to gently run a clean finger across the surgical site to prevent the treated tissue from reattaching. You may also need to bring your child to myofunctional therapy sessions, where they will learn how to properly use their oral structures. Your child’s treatment provider will give you clear post-op instructions.
There is some harmful misinformation out there about lip and tongue tie! Be sure to fact-check anything you hear about these conditions so you can make well-informed decisions about your child’s care.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Natalie Gardner is a board-certified pediatric dentist who is proud to serve families in the Fort Washington area. If you believe that your baby has a lip or tongue tie, she and our team can evaluate the situation and recommend your next steps. We always strive to perform treatment with compassion and precision! To learn more about us and how we may be able to assist you, contact Upper Dublin Pediatric Dentistry at 267-481-7707.