A Hidden Cause of Feeding Problems in Wake Forest, NC
When parents face feeding difficulties with their infants, they often hear about tongue-tie as a potential cause. However, at GrassRoots Dental Wellness in Wake Forest, we frequently identify another important concern: lip-tie. This often-overlooked condition can significantly impact your baby’s feeding success and comfort.
Understanding Lip-Tie
A lip-tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums (the maxillary labial frenum) is unusually tight or thick. This restriction can limit your baby’s ability to create an effective seal during feeding, whether at the breast or with a bottle. While this tissue is present in all babies, some have a restriction that interferes with normal function.
Recognizing the Signs
Parents often notice several indicators that might suggest their infant has a lip-tie:
During Feeding: Your baby may struggle to maintain a proper latch, repeatedly breaking suction during feeds. You might notice milk leaking from the corners of their mouth, or hear clicking sounds as they attempt to nurse. These signs occur because the restricted upper lip cannot flange outward properly to create a complete seal.
Physical Appearance: The upper lip may appear tight or tethered, creating a possible heart-shaped appearance when lifted. You might notice a significant tissue attachment between the lip and gums, or your baby may have difficulty lifting their upper lip to expose their gum line fully.
After Feeding: Babies with lip-ties often experience increased gas and reflux symptoms. This occurs because they may swallow more air during feeding due to an incomplete seal. Your baby might seem fussy after feeds, arch their back, or need frequent burping.
Impact on Development
While some healthcare providers might suggest “waiting it out,” current research indicates that addressing lip-ties early can prevent various challenges. Untreated lip-ties may lead to:
Nutritional Concerns: When babies cannot feed efficiently, they may struggle to maintain proper weight gain or experience unnecessarily long feeding sessions. This can be exhausting for both baby and parent.
Oral Development: As your child grows, an untreated lip-tie might affect tooth spacing, potentially contributing to a gap between the front teeth. It can also impact oral hygiene by creating a pocket where bacteria can accumulate.
Advanced Treatment at GrassRoots Dental Wellness
At our Wake Forest practice, Dr. Kati Hetrick offers state-of-the-art treatment for lip-ties using advanced CO2 laser technology. This approach provides several advantages over traditional methods:
Precision and Comfort: The laser procedure is remarkably precise, allowing for targeted treatment while minimizing discomfort. Most babies can feed immediately after the procedure, often showing immediate improvement in their latch and comfort.
Minimal Recovery: Laser treatment results in less swelling and faster healing compared to traditional surgical methods. The procedure itself typically takes only a few minutes, with most babies returning to normal activities immediately.
Long-term Results: By addressing lip-ties early, we can help prevent potential complications with feeding, speech development, and dental alignment as your child grows.
Taking the Next Step
If you’ve noticed any signs of lip-tie in your infant, or if you’re experiencing challenges with feeding, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive evaluation at GrassRoots Dental Wellness. Dr. Hetrick’s expertise in infant oral restrictions, combined with our advanced technology, allows us to provide effective, gentle solutions for your baby’s needs.
Contact our Wake Forest office today to learn more about lip-tie treatment:
GrassRoots Dental Wellness 835 Wake Forest Business Park Wake Forest, NC 27587
Schedule Your Consultation: Phone: 913-593-6990 Email: GrassrootsDentalWellness@gmail.com
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Early intervention can make a significant difference in your baby’s feeding success and overall development. Let our experienced team help you and your baby achieve comfortable, effective feeding through proper diagnosis and treatment of lip-tie.
