In recent years, many parents have heard more about lip ties and tongue ties than ever before. Social media, parenting groups, lactation consultants, and healthcare providers frequently discuss these conditions, leading some people to wonder: Are lip and tongue ties actually becoming more common?
The answer isn’t entirely clear. While diagnoses have increased significantly, many experts believe that greater awareness and improved screening may be responsible for much of the rise.
What Are Lip and Tongue Ties?
A tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is unusually short, thick, or tight. This can restrict tongue movement.
A lip tie involves a similar issue with the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums.
Not all lip and tongue ties cause problems, but some infants may experience difficulties with feeding, latching, swallowing, or oral development.
Why More Infants Are Being Diagnosed
One reason lip and tongue ties seem more common today is that healthcare professionals are looking for them more frequently.
Over the past decade, there has been increased attention on breastfeeding challenges and infant oral function. Pediatricians, pediatric dentists, lactation consultants, and other providers are often better trained to recognize potential ties than in previous generations.
As a result, conditions that may have once gone undiagnosed are now being identified earlier.
In many cases, the increase in diagnoses may reflect improved awareness rather than a true increase in occurrence.
Could There Be an Actual Increase?
Researchers continue to study whether lip and tongue ties are becoming more prevalent. At this time, there is no definitive evidence proving that these conditions are occurring more frequently than they did in the past.
Genetics may play a role, as tongue ties often appear to run in families. However, scientists have not identified a clear explanation for a widespread increase in cases.
More research is needed to determine whether changing diagnostic practices or other factors are responsible for the trend.
Not Every Tie Requires Treatment
One important thing for parents to understand is that not every lip tie or tongue tie requires intervention.
Many infants with mild ties feed normally and experience no long-term complications. Treatment decisions are typically based on symptoms rather than appearance alone.
If a tie is causing significant feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, speech concerns, or other functional problems, a healthcare provider may recommend a procedure known as a frenectomy to release the tissue.
If your baby struggles with breastfeeding, has difficulty latching, makes clicking sounds while feeding, or seems unable to transfer milk effectively, it may be worth discussing the issue with your pediatrician, lactation consultant, or pediatric dentist. Early evaluation can help determine whether treatment is needed and ensure your child gets the support they need for healthy growth and development.
About the Author
Dr. Jesse Witkoff is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than 4 decades of experience helping his little patients and their parents learn about lip and tongue ties. He graduated from dental school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prior to completing a General Practice Residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center and earning his certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Witkoff has also completed more than 500 hours of continuing education in the area of frenectomies, frenuloplasties, interceptive orthodontics, and airway dentistry. With this kind of training and expertise, you can trust Dr. Witkoff and his team at Rocky Mountain Tongue Tie to handle your baby’s lip or tongue tie treatment. Book an appointment online or call our Boulder office at (720) 743-3340.