Tongue and lip ties cause dental problems

Tongue and lip ties can cause dental problems in toddlers, children of all ages, and adults.  The dental problems may include dental decay, gum disease (gum recessions), gap between front teeth (diastema), crooked teeth, malocclusion, teeth grinding/clenching, and others

These are some of the dental problems that may be caused by tongue and lip ties:

Lip and Tongue Ties and Diastemas (gap between teeth)

·       Lip tie that has band of thick tissue that connects the underside of the lip to the gums can cause a gap between the upper front teeth

·       Tongue tie that has a band of thick tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth can cause a gap between the lower front teeth

·       Pediatric dentist, Larry Kotlow, D.D.S. recommends that the best time to perform the lip and tongue tied releases for gap closure is before 18 months old or when the permanent teeth are erupting

·       Lip and tongue tied releases allow for gap closure without the need for braces

Poor oral hygiene

·       Can be painful when parent lifts the lip to assist the toddler/child with brushing.  The tightness of the lip tie hurts the child

·       Can be painful when the toothbrush hits the lip tie (frenum)

·       Difficult for toddlers/children to keep up with their oral hygiene when tooth brushing (hitting the tie) is painful

·       Food, juice, or milk  traps  in the pocket between the lip and the teeth and cause dental decay

Dental Caries

·       Lip tie can trap food between the lip and the teeth and make it difficult to brush

·       Tongue tie restricts the tongue from lifting and sweeping the food stuck between the cheeks and teeth. Tongue is restricted and unable to clean the back teeth and the palate.

·       Prolong exposure of food debris on teeth surfaces without thorough cleaning them off would cause dental decay and oral health issues

Teeth Grinding/Clenching

·       Teeth grinding may be caused by stress

·       In his book, “Tongue Tie,” Pediatric dentist, Richard Baxter, D.D.S. talks about the new thinking is that nighttime teeth grinding can be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing.

·       Dr. Baxter discussed that one possible reason children and adults grind their teeth at night may be because of airway obstruction. “If the tongue is held down by a tongue-tie, the tongue often falls backward during sleep and blocks the airway,” said Dr. Baxter

·       When the airway is blocked, the body tries to open up the airway by protruding the lower jaw and grinding teeth.  It is a body’s defense mechanism of arousing the person to breathe when the airway is obstructed. (88, 89)

88.  Kostrzewa-Janicka J, Jurkowski P, Zycinska K, Przybylowska D, Mierzwinska-Nastalska E. Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Buxism. Adv Exp Med Biol 2015; 873:9-14.

89.  Jokubauskas L, Baltrusaityte  A.  Relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and sleep bruxism:  a systematic review. J  Oral Rahabil 2017; 44(2): 144-53.

Gum disease (gum recessions)

·       Gum recession is a form of gum disease

·       Gum recession is common in patients with lip, tongue and buccal ties

·       The strong muscles of the tongue, lips and cheeks pull on the gums over time and exert a traumatic force and cause the gums to recede and expose the roots

·       Tongue ties cause gum recessions on the insides of the lower front teeth

·       Lip ties cause gum recessions outsides of the upper and/ lower front teeth

·       Buccal ties cause gum recessions outside of the canines or premolars

Orthodontic treatment

·       Orthodontic treatment is often needed in patients with lip and tongue ties

·       Lip ties (band of thick tissues) can create a gap between upper and/ lower front teeth

·       Tongue ties can affect the growth of jaw bones and cause the bones to grow too little which lead to teeth crowding issues and malocclusion

·       Tongue tie restricts the tongue sitting in the palate and causes poor palatal growth. 

·       Poor palatal growth is the palate that is high arched and V-shaped (narrow) and it may be the cause of crooked upper teeth and other health problem, such as sleep apnea

·       The ideal goal is the unrestrictive tongue sitting in the palate and it should be broad and U-shaped

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora.  Lip and tongue ties can cause dental problems in toddlers, children and adults.  Dr. Lee is an experienced provider for Laser lip and tongue tied frenectomy (releases).  If you have questions about lip and tongue ties and how they can affect your dentition and oral health, please call for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com

Benefits of breastfeeding:

·       Mayo Clinic states that breast milk is “the gold standard,” citing its balance of nutrients and ability to boost the baby’s immune system

·       The American Academy of Pediatrics states breast milk contains antibodies that aren’t found in formula, which helps prevent ear infections, asthma, respiratory infections and other illnesses.

-the antibody found in breast milk boosts immunity by blocking pathogens from attaching to the gastrointestinal tract.

-the rate of sudden infant death syndrome is reduced by more than a third in breastfed babies

-infants who were breastfed for less than 2 months were more likely to be overweight.  There is a 15 to 30 percent reduction in adolescent and adult obesity in breastfed babies.

·       The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

-Dr. Philip, lead author of a CDC report on breastfeeding said, “CDC is working with hospitals to encourage support of breastfeeding in the days after birth.”

-Dr. Philip said, “Breastfeeding is also associated with health benefits to women, including decreased risk for the most common form of diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. There are benefits to the mother as well as the child.”

-CDC noted that breastfeeding is associated with decreased risk for many diseases and conditions in babies, including ear infections, respiratory tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity, eczema and diarrhea.

Dr. Anna Lee is a General & Cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call our office for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114. 

Decline and Rise of Breastfeeding in the 20th century

Breastfeeding was perceived negatively in the United States during the early 20^th century.  In the 1950s, the prevalent attitude was that breastfeeding mothers were uneducated, lower class, and unable to afford infant formula.  The practice of breastfeeding was considered old-fashioned.  An article that was written by C.Caron in the New York Times in July, 2018 revealed the American Medical Association (AMA) formed the Committee on Foods to approve infant formula safety and forced many infant food companies to seek AMA approval or its ‘Seal of Acceptance’ in 1929.   In the 1940s and 50s, infant formula was regarded by the public and the medical profession as safe and convenient.

By 1960s, there was a rise/revival of the practice of breastfeeding. According to a survey conducted by a formula manufacturer in 1977, there was nearly two out of five (2/5) American mothers breastfed their infants, which doubled the percentage of 15 years ago.

Why is there a rise in breastfeeding since 1970s?  The Journal of Nutrition published a review in February 2001 to discuss some possible reasons for the rise of the practice of breastfeeding.                Here are some possible reasons:

·       Maternal employment and breastfeeding practices

Data showed employment (unemployed & full time employed) had no barrier on breastfeeding initiation, suggesting that other changes may have affected breastfeeding practices.

·       Changes in birthing practices

The “Natural Childbirth Movement,” began in the 1960s.  The movement rejected the medical model of birth and considered the natural childbirth a natural part of the life cycle.  The review and data suggested that the movement of natural childbirth which included childbirth education and early maternal-child contact may be the reason of the rise of the practice of breastfeeding in the 70s.

·       Increased knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding by health professionals

Many physicians were ill-prepared by their medical education and training to assist women in making informed feeding choices. Physicians had minimal knowledge in regard to assisting women with their lactation management.  Therefore, physicians are unlikely to contribute in the rise of breastfeeding.

·       Successful breastfeeding interventions

The government provided federal grants for breastfeeding promotion. The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) had breastfeeding education and peer counselors to assisting breastfeeding mothers. It is possible that the program may have contributed in the rise of breastfeeding.

·       Public measures that affected breastfeeding resurgence

Increased number of women entered the medical field. Data showed women pediatric physicians who breastfed their infants had a more positive attitude toward the practice of breastfeeding.  Women pediatric physicians helped other women to understand the benefits of breastfeeding.