Lip tie occurs when the tissue behind your child’s lip is too thick or stiff that it keeps their upper lip from moving freely. This condition can make it challenging for babies to breastfeed, which can lead to trouble gaining weight.
Symptoms of Lip Tie
The most common symptom of lip tie is difficulty breastfeeding. This includes lack of weight gain, fatigue during nursing, difficulty breathing while feeding and colic.
If left untreated, children with severe lip tie may continue to struggle eating finger foods or eating from a spoon. Some pediatricians suspect that toddlers with lip tie have a higher likelihood for developing tooth decay.
Lip Tie Causes
The membrane connecting the upper lip to the gums and palate is known as the maxillary labial frenulum. If the membrane is too ridged or tight, it can restrict the movement of your child’s upper lip.
Treatment for Lip Tie
For those with a more serious case of lip tie, a simple and relatively painless procedure called a frenectomy may be recommended. This procedure uses a surgical scissor to cut the membrane that connects the lip to the gums.
Call Great Lakes ENT Specialists at (231) 489-8151 for more information or to schedule an appointment.