Potential Outcomes of Untreated Tongue and Lip Ties
Understanding the Risks of Delayed Treatment
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie occur when the frenulum tissue restricts tongue or lip movement to varying degrees. Some individuals experience functional difficulties whilst others have no symptoms requiring treatment.
Important: The presence of tongue tie or lip tie does not automatically mean treatment is necessary. Assessment by a qualified healthcare provider is required to determine whether functional problems exist and whether treatment is appropriate.
Possible Effects in Some Cases
In some cases where tongue tie or lip tie causes functional restrictions, various effects may be observed. However, these do not occur in all individuals with tongue tie or lip tie, and severity varies significantly.
Feeding Challenges
Some infants with tongue tie may experience feeding difficulties including difficulty achieving or maintaining latch during breastfeeding, difficulty creating seal around bottle nipple, prolonged feeding times, excessive air intake during feeding, or poor weight gain in some cases. Some mothers may experience nipple discomfort, breastfeeding difficulties, or other breastfeeding-related concerns.
Possible Long-Term Associations
In some cases, tongue tie may be associated with various developmental or functional concerns. However, these associations are complex, vary significantly between individuals, and can have multiple contributing factors.
Oral and Facial Development
Some individuals with tongue tie may experience:
- Dental alignment variations
- Jaw development patterns
- Oral hygiene challenges
- Variations in palate shape
Speech Development
Some children with tongue tie may experience:
- Difficulty with certain speech sounds
- Speech development that differs from typical patterns
- Need for speech therapy
Breathing and Sleep
Some individuals with tongue tie may experience:
- Mouth breathing patterns
- Sleep quality concerns
- Breathing pattern variations
Swallowing and Eating
Some individuals with tongue tie may experience:
- Variations in swallowing patterns
- Preferences for certain food textures
- Oral motor challenges
Breathing and Sleep
Some individuals with tongue tie may experience:
- Variations in swallowing patterns
- Preferences for certain food textures
- Oral motor challenges
Treatment Considerations
Treatment outcomes vary between individuals. Some people may experience improvement in feeding difficulties, support for oral and speech development (often in combination with therapy), or changes in breathing patterns following tongue tie treatment. However, treatment may not resolve all symptoms, and some individuals may require additional therapies regardless of whether tongue tie treatment is performed. Not all desired outcomes may be achievable.
Professional Assessment
Assessment by a qualified healthcare provider determines whether tongue tie is present and contributing to functional difficulties. During assessment, we evaluate the degree of restriction, functional impacts, and discuss treatment options if appropriate.
Schedule an Assessment
If you have concerns about tongue tie or lip tie in your child, contact DentalCareXtra to arrange an assessment.
During assessment, we’ll evaluate whether tongue tie is present and whether it is contributing to any functional difficulties. We’ll discuss findings and appropriate options based on your child’s individual circumstances.
Contact our KIDS team today for a thorough assessment and personalised treatment plan.
