A baby who struggles to latch, a toddler who still has trouble with certain foods, or an older child whose speech therapist keeps mentioning tongue posture may all be dealing with the same overlooked cause. Lip-tie is a restriction of the small strip of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums, and when it is too tight or too thick, it can affect feeding, oral hygiene, and even how a child speaks or breathes as they grow.
At HulaGrins Pediatric Dentistry, we evaluate lip-tie and tongue-tie at every stage of childhood, not just in the newborn period. Dr. Sena Hiradate and Dr. Sonya Lin both assess for these restrictions during routine visits, and we have found that catching lip-tie early can prevent frustration for parents and discomfort for kids down the road.
What Lip-Tie Looks Like In Infants
For newborns, lip-tie often shows up as feeding trouble. A baby with a restricted upper lip frenulum may struggle to form a deep latch, which can make nursing painful for a parent and inefficient for the baby. You might notice clicking sounds during feeding, frequent unlatching, or a baby who seems to tire out before finishing a feeding.
Some infants with lip-tie also swallow excess air while feeding, which can lead to gassiness, spit up, or general fussiness after meals. A study published through the National Institutes of Health found that mothers of infants with a tethered maxillary frenulum reported painful nursing less often after the tie was addressed, which lines up with what many parents describe once feeding starts to click into place.
Signs That Can Show Up Later In Childhood
Lip-tie does not always announce itself in infancy. Some children are not diagnosed until they are toddlers or even older, especially if early feeding went smoothly. As kids grow, a restricted lip can pull on the gum tissue between the two front teeth, sometimes creating a visible gap that does not close on its own.
Gum and Tooth Changes
A thick or tight lip frenulum can make it harder to fully clean the front teeth and gumline, which raises the risk of plaque buildup in that area. Parents sometimes notice their child’s upper lip does not move much when smiling, or that the lip seems to blanch white when stretched.
Speech and Oral Habits
Because lip-tie is frequently paired with tongue-tie, some children show overlapping signs such as trouble with certain speech sounds or a preference for mouth breathing. Below are some of the most common signs parents bring up during an exam.
- A visible gap between the top front teeth that does not close as permanent teeth come in
- Difficulty keeping the upper front teeth and gumline clean during brushing
- A lip that barely lifts when smiling or that whitens when pulled outward
- Ongoing feeding struggles in infancy that were never formally evaluated
If any of these signs sound familiar, it is worth having a pediatric dentist take a closer look rather than waiting to see if the child grows out of it.
Why Age Should Not Rule Out Treatment
Many parents assume lip-tie release is only for newborns, since that is when it is most commonly discussed. In reality, we are one of the few practices in the South Bay area performing lip-tie and tongue-tie releases on older children and teens, not only infants. The approach looks different depending on age. Babies typically do not need sedation, and the procedure itself takes only moments, while older kids may need a bit more preparation and behavior guidance throughout the visit.
We use a LightScalpel CO2 laser for these soft tissue releases, performed by Dr. Sena. Laser treatment tends to mean less bleeding and a more comfortable recovery compared to older surgical methods, which is part of why we have been able to expand this care to new patients across a wider age range. For children who need additional support after a release, we often coordinate with local myofunctional therapists to help retrain oral habits and get the most out of the procedure.
What To Expect At An Evaluation
A lip-tie evaluation starts with a visual and functional exam. We look at how the lip moves, how it affects the gum tissue, and whether it is contributing to any feeding, hygiene, or speech concerns you have mentioned. For infants, we also ask about nursing or bottle feeding patterns to understand the full picture.
If a release is recommended, we walk through what the recovery looks like and answer any questions before moving forward. Every child’s mouth is different, so treatment plans are never one size fits all, and we take the time to explain the reasoning behind each recommendation.
Schedule A Lip-Tie Evaluation At HulaGrins Pediatric Dentistry
Lip-tie can affect far more than early feeding, and the earlier it is identified, the easier it tends to be to manage. Whether your baby is struggling to nurse or your school-aged child has a stubborn gap between their front teeth, an evaluation can help you understand what is going on and what your options look like.
Dr. Sena Hiradate and Dr. Sonya Lin bring years of combined experience to every visit, and our team takes the time to walk families through each step of care in a way that feels comfortable rather than rushed. If you have noticed any of the signs above in your child, reach out to our team to schedule an evaluation.