3 Common Myths About Lip and Tongue Ties

If you’re a parent of a young child it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information you need to remember about their health. There are some common things like colds that every parent will watch out for, but there are other conditions exclusive to babies that you might have trouble staying on top of.

Lip and tongue ties are a great example. Most parents may not have even heard much about them before having a child, and what they have heard may not be true. Here are some common misconceptions about lip and tongue ties.

Myth: Tongue Ties are Harmless

When you hear the phrase “tongue tie,” you might think it’s something kind of cute, maybe endearing. The truth is that tongue and lip ties can cause major headaches for children and patients alike.

In infancy, children with lip and tongue ties might have substantial problems with breastfeeding, often being unable to latch properly. As their development continues, untreated tongue ties can cause misalignment, speech impediments, and even breathing problems in some cases.

Myth: Tongue-Ties Go Away On Their Own

Tongue and lip ties happen when the ligament connecting these organs to the mouth is too thick. This ligament is a piece of soft tissue, so some parents hope that it will naturally stretch itself out over time.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. The problems these ligaments cause are likely to endure throughout a child’s life if the condition is left untreated, leading to discomfort and speech impediments well into adulthood.

Myth: Frenectomies are Dangerous

Lip and tongue ties are typically treated via a frenectomy, where the problematic ligament is snipped to allow free movement of the tongue and lips. Obviously, patients can’t help but be a little bit nervous when their child undergoes any kind of procedure, and especially one that involves slicing.

However, frenectomies are incredibly low risk. Most of them are done with a laser, allowing the wound to heal quickly. Infection is rare, and your dentist will be happy to walk you through what aftercare entails.

Whether this is your first time hearing about tongue ties or you’ve just learned something new, hopefully this guide gave you some information that you found helpful.

About the Author

When her patients describe her, the word used most often to label Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is that she’s a “people person.” While she loves the science of her field, her favorite thing about dentistry is being able to get to know her patients on a personal level. Dr. Garcia-DeMartino received her DMD from Fairleigh Dickinson University, then attended the International World Clinical Laser Institute to hone her expertise in laser frenectomies.

If you have any questions about lip and tongue ties, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (908) 859-5260.