A tongue tie or lip tie is when the tongue or lip has a band of skin that is too tight, causing a restriction in movement. These are usually inherited, occur as a failure of cells to die during a babies growth and development in the womb (apoptosis) and occur before birth.
What Issues May A Tongue and or Lip Tie Cause?
These may cause difficulty with breastfeeding including difficulties attaching to the breast or staying attached (slipping off the nipple), maternal nipple pain or damage, poor maternal milk supply. Other symptoms may include clicking, sucking in air, milk dribbling from the mouth during feeding, digestive issues such as wind pain or gut irritation.
Where May Ties Occur ?
A tie may occur in the lip, buccal (cheek) or the tongue. Some babies are born with all three. The ties vary in thickness and restrictiveness. They are usually graded by health professionals depending on their location.
Treatment for Tongue Ties:
If tongue, lip or buccal ties are restrictive in nature, lack flexibility and are causing feeding issues with breast or bottle feeding then an assessment with a qualified dentist experiences in ties is usually recommended. Ties may be treated using lazer or scissors . Whether a tie needs a frenectomy depends on several factors including symptoms and or restriction of the lip or tongue.
For more information on the frenectomy procedure please visit enhanceddentistry.com.au or wattlestdental.com.au
The Role Of The Chiropractor with ties
. If a baby presents with symptoms of a lip or tongue tie or if the chiropractor notices a lip, tongue and or buccal tie which appear to be restrictive in nature , then a referral to a dentist for further assessment is usually recommended.
. Use oral myofascial muscle release and aim to correct any jaw dysfunction (massage to the muscles in the mouth and jaw compensating for the ties)
. Dentist may recommend myofacial release before and after frenectomy to help balance oral muscles, correct jaw tightness and dysfunction, which may be associated with breastfeeding issues.
Not all ties need to be released via a frenectomy and some may improve by massaging and stretching the muscles of the tongue and mouth (oral myofacial work).