As a parent, the list of duties and responsibilities is practically never-ending—of course, it’s all worth it in the end! But one big part of parenting involves solving the problems that cause your little one distress. Sometimes, these problems have obvious answers, but other times, you may feel helpless when it comes to halting your child’s tears. Keep reading below to learn a little more about how colic, or excessive crying, can sometimes be caused by untreated lip and tongue ties, and how your child’s dentist can address the issue!
Why Does My Baby Cry So Much?
Colic is a common condition that affects young infants, and it’s characterized by frequent, prolonged, and intense crying or fussiness in an otherwise healthy child. Needless to say, this can be quite distressing for parents and children alike—seeing your little one suffer for no apparent reason isn’t easy!
Colic is often linked to gastrointestinal issues, nervous system immaturity, overstimulation, environmental factors, and certain allergies and intolerances. It can greatly impact how babies latch during breastfeeding, leading to them taking in excess air, rather than milk, which upsets their stomachs.
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
A lip tie occurs when the labial frenulum, which is the tissue that attaches the lips to the gums, is too short or thick, whereas a tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is compromised. These conditions are not always easily identifiable, and in some cases, they might even develop due to the mother’s nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy.
If you think your child might have a lip or tongue tie, some recognizable signs include:
- The inability to properly latch during breastfeeding
- Fussiness or irritability during feeding
- Clicking sounds during feeding
- Poor weight gain
Can My Child’s Dentist Help?
In addition to causing breastfeeding difficulties, untreated lip and tongue ties can lead to other significant issues including impaired speech development, breathing-related sleep disorders, as well as orthodontic and dental issues. A frenectomy is often the go-to procedure for resolving lip and tongue ties; this quick, straightforward procedure involves using a soft laser tissue to cut the offending frenulum and free up movement of the patient’s oral tissues.
That said, if you think your child might have a lip or tongue tie that’s causing excessive crying, you shouldn’t wait to speak with their dentist. Although colic is not always caused by lip and tongue ties, it’s always worth investigating.
About the Practice
The team at Texas Dentistry and Braces has proudly served the dental needs of families in the Kaufman, TX community for several years, offering a wide variety of services including lip and tongue tie treatments. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact them online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (972) 932-3918.