Upper Lip Tie

[StillPukin]

We're all familiar with tongue ties but there is also an upper lip version of the condition which is less commonly discussed. I dont know how common it is but I think its something we should all be aware of and look out for because it can affect bf-ing significantly.

I've just come across this article and thought I'd share it... thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/introducing-maxillary-labial-frenulum.html?m=1

LCs in the US cut these.

I had a shit time BFing, DS never got enough milk from me so we topped up with formula after every breast feed. I've recently realised that DS has an upper lip tie and I'm wondering if this could be the reason we had so much trouble. I'd love to talk it over with somebody who knows about these things - I had never heard of lip or tounge tie until about a year ago (DS is 4 1/2).

Really useful, thanks. My DD hada tongue tie cut at 4w but I was sure it was insufficiently snipped and/or she also has a posterior tie. Last week I realised she has upper lip tie. Now trying to work out if it's worth getting her checked for PTT before we start weaning (she's 23w). Will check her lip tie tomorrow using this info.

DS looks like the third set of pictures down in that link.

My ds had this, I didn't know until I went back to work and he couldn't take a bottle. He's now nearly three and it has separated mostly now, as I was told it would, from accidents etc.

My son had this. Never noticed till it was much too late. Explained the searing pain though!

I have just had my ds's upper lip tie removed by laser. I have noticed an improvement in the latch straight away, although my main reason for having it done was the possibility of tooth decay/dental problems. His tie was grade 4.

No one on the NHS knows anything about it. I had to travel to London from south wales.

DD1 has a lip tie somewhere between pics 3 and 4. I bf her to a year, but once I understood about the tie I knew why I had the pain I used to get. I thought I had thrush as someone described it as being a pain that went through to the back/shoulder blade area.

She's 5 now. Our dentist advised me that tooth brushing of the front upper teeth could be a problem. Something to do with the tie stopping the tongue cleaning action when it runs over the front teeth. She'll also have one heck of a gap, but that's inevitable as DH and his mother have them. We'll see how she feels about that later, but for now I point out attractive gaps in pictures and films/music videos.

Almost every lip tie is coupled with a tongue tie, often a posterior one. The figure I have seen quoted from personal experience by a tongue tie practitioner was over 90%.

Most mainstream HCPs know diddly squat about tongue and lip ties unless they have taken a specialist interest. Something often spouted is oh don't worry, they will fall and break it, or they will outgrow it. One is not true and the other one is hardly a satisfactory answer.

Some lip ties (but not all) can create little pockets for milk and food to become trapped and remain in prolonged contact with the top teeth. Even breastmilk will rot teeth if trapped in this way.

Tongue and lip ties can affect the whole orofacial structure. It is not just cosmetic relating to a gap in the front teeth.

It is never too late for older kids or adults to have tongue and lip tie revisions if they are having symptoms related to the ties. DS1 was revised age 7yo and is now having orthodontic treatment to reverse the structural damage caused by his ties.

There is WAY more to this than feeding and speech and licking ice creams.