15 month old speech worries/lip tie?

[Takemeawayy]

My DS is almost 15 months. 2nd child but DD was an early talker whereas DS is struggling. I’ve spoken to HV and they won’t refer to SALT until 2 but I am wondering what your experiences are and if I should push for more help now?
he can say mama but I don’t think he really associates it with me as if I say “where’s mama?” He will point at the ceiling or anywhere but at me. If I say where’s DD he has no idea even though I use her name all the time.
he won’t attempt to copy words although makes lots of sounds when babbling.
we had a lot of feeding issues with him (and still do to be honest) and part of me is wondering if this is all linked. I am convinced he has a lip tie as he has a large gap in his front teeth and doesn’t like it when I brush his teeth there. I can’t pull his lip back to see his gum as it’s so tight. I’m wondering if this is causing a lot of his problems but I know the nhs don’t believe in lip tie so I’m fighting a losing battle with that one anyway.
any advice/ experience?

@Takemeawayy I know this is a while ago now but I was searching ‘lip tie’! Did you get it looked at? My youngest DD is 18 months and has a large gap between her teeth and what looks like a fairly obvious lip tie. I will mention to the dentist at our next visit but wondered if they would even do anything? Her speech is coming on slowly but I would say is behind where her sisters were at the same age

My daughter also has the large front gap and visible lip tie plus feeding problems when an infant. She struggled to extract milk from the breast and milk would stream down the edges of the bottle for top ups as she couldn't latch properly. She's 5 now. Seen several dentists in the course of normal dental care and they have had no concerns. One said it is a good thing as there is then lots of space for the front adult teeth and lower chance she'll need braces. I suspect the speech connection depends a lot on the severity of the tie. My daughter was entirely normal/possibly on the early side with speech and we've never had any issues with pronunciation.

"lower chance she'll need braces"

I'm sorry you've been told this, it's very misinformed information.

Isolated lip ties are extremely uncommon and have a very high correlation with tongue ties. Restrictive tongue function most often results in improper resting position and subsequently a narrowed jaw, which is why teeth may become overcrowded and extraction/realignment is necessary.

I really hope this does not turn out to be the case with your daughter, but I would honestly consider switching to a dentist who has some knowledge surrounding the implications of oral ties on anatomical development.

Thanks for that @haveagoharry . She had her tongue tie divided twice (after the tie re-formed) so I suspect not an issue we'll experience.

It sounds like you are worried about understanding - that he doesn’t understand the word ‘mama’ or your daughter’s name. There is no way understanding would be impacting by lip tie.

It also sounds like be can get his lips together to make a ‘m’ sound. If he didn’t have the right movement/ closures it would be those sounds you make your lips (m, b, p) that were impacted.

15 months is still so little, he’s got so much time. I do think the possible lip tie is a red herring though. Going forwards I’d recommend not citing that as the reason for any worries when you talk to professionals as this maybe why they are dismissing you.