Tongue ties are incredibly common in babies, causing them to experience difficulty with eating and gaining weight. It’s a condition in which an abnormally short frenulum restricts the tongue’s ability to function properly. A lip tie is when an unusually tight labial frenulum keeps the upper lip tethered to the gum line. Both issues often occur in tandem. Read on to find out whether there’s a rise in diagnosis and which signs indicate your infant may be exhibiting problems.
History of Tongue-Ties
Believe it or not, the diagnosis of lip and tongue ties is nothing new. There are wood cuts revealing a physician cutting a newborn’s frenulum which dates back to 1679! Over time, the treatment became less common as women turned away from breastfeeding and opted to bottle feed around the middle of the last century. Most people sincerely believed that giving formula was the better option as opposed to the natural way. As a result, many babies did not struggle as much to feed.
Why Have Tongue-Ties Become More Common?
Women in the last quarter century have swung back in favor of breastfeeding. They want to give their babies natural milk instead of formula for several different reasons. Well, this led to an increase in the number of women seeking help with nursing issues. Dentists began to see more lip and tongue ties, resulting in the need for early treatment – and the issue is ongoing. Fortunately, there has been tremendous research done on this phenomenon and the use of lasers for very delicate surgery has revolutionized the treatment.
Signs Your Baby Needs a Frenectomy
It’s often difficult for new mothers to recognize the signs that indicate their child needs a frenectomy. Some common issues to look out for include cracked and sore nipples, depression, and blocked ducts (mastitis).
While feeding your baby, keep an eye out for any of the following symptoms:
- Poor weight gain
- Acid reflux or colic
- Fussiness
- Inability to latch effectively
- Prolonged feedings
- Inability to stick out the tongue
- Clicking or smacking noises when attempting to nurse
Should you notice any of the signs listed above, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatric dentist. They may recommend a frenectomy and use soft tissue laser dentistry for treatment. With their help, your baby will be able to feed much more comfortably!
About the Practice
At Mighty Molars Pediatric Dental, our kind and compassionate team is led by board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Matt Strumpf. Together, we go the extra mile to provide exceptional dental care for growing smiles. If you think your baby may need a frenectomy, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You can make an appointment via our website or call (651) 450-6111.