Lip & Tongue-Tie Common Symptoms – Katy, TX

How to Know When Your Child Needs Help

Lip and tongue-ties are common occurrences for most people, many of whom never experience any problems. Unfortunately, when these short bands of tissue do not expand and allow for free-flowing movement, it can pose a problem from the moment your child leaves the womb. While many cases are diagnosed and treated during infancy, some patients do not experience lip and tongue-tie common symptoms until they reach childhood or adulthood. These signs and symptoms can vary as your child grows older, so if you notice any of them developing, at any stage of development, contact our team at Happy Chompers Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

Common Symptoms for Babies

If you notice your child becomes fussy when attempting to nurse or bottle-feed, you may be able to blame a lip or tongue-tie. This is often the most common sign, but others may not be quite as prominent. If you notice any of the following occurring, make sure to contact us to discuss treatment:

Increased spit up
Slow weight gain
Prolonged feedings
Breastfeeding sessions that end abruptly
Difficulty forming a bond with your baby
Disrupted sleep
Difficulty exposing your child to solid foods

Common Symptoms for Nursing Mothers

Although the restricted bands of tissue are in your baby’s mouth, they are not the only ones who are negatively impacted. If you are breastfeeding, you may notice there is a problem if you begin to experience any of the below symptoms:

Difficulty getting your child to latch, which leads to painful breastfeeding
Difficulty getting your milk to flow
Inconsistent milk flow
Nipples that appear red or swollen
Nipple thrush
Mastitis
Prolonged feedings that cause sleep deprivation
Depression

Common Symptoms for Children

If lip and tongue-ties are not diagnosed or do not present problems during infancy, you may notice that your child is beginning to have difficulty eating certain foods, speaking, or acting differently at home or school. Because these bands of tissue change over time, these symptoms may not appear until they are school age:

Speech impediment (lisp)
Delayed speech development
Behavioral concerns
Hyperactivity
Picky eater
Difficulty eating certain foods (solids)
Frequent gagging or choking while eating
A large gap between the two front teeth
Increased cavity development

Common Symptoms for Adults

If the lip or tongue-tie never caused problems as a baby or child, it could be that it is a mild case. While this might sound as if you are “in the clear” when reaching adulthood, this isn’t always the case. Some adults can experience symptoms later in life, such as: