to understand if oral restrictions might be a factor.

What Are Oral Restrictions?

To understand oral restrictions, we first need to know a bit about the anatomy of the mouth. The Cleveland Clinic defines the tongue as a crucial part of our digestive system. It helps us chew, swallow, and speak clearly.

The tongue has eight muscles and is attached to the mouth by a small band of tissue called the lingual frenulum.

You can see this band by pressing your tongue on the top of your mouth. It attaches the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Oral restrictions, such as tongue tie (ankyloglossia), occur when this band is too tight or too short, limiting the tongue’s movement. This can affect how a baby feeds and develops. Sometimes, this band is very visible, but in other cases, it might only be noticeable under the surface of the mouth, known as submucosal.

1. 1. ailed oral assessment and a feeding evaluation. Lactation consultants, like myself, are trained to identify signs and symptoms of oral restrictions and can perform these assessments. However, making a formal diagnosis is typically the role of medical professionals.
      

      The Impact of Lingual and Maxillary Frenulums

      The lingual frenulum is the small strip of tissue that keeps your tongue attached to the bottom of your mouth. The maxillary frenulum is a small piece of tissue that connects the top of your lip to your gums.

      This restriction can affect how a baby feeds, leading to difficulties such as painful feeding for the mother and the baby, trouble gaining weight, or other feeding problems. Functionality, rather than just visibility, determines whether these ties need intervention.

      Why Are Tongue Ties Being Noticed More Now?

      Several factors contribute to the increased awareness and diagnosis of tongue ties:

      1. Increased Breastfeeding Rates: Over the past 20 years, there has been a significant increase in breastfeeding rates. According to the 2022 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, 83% of babies in the US were ever breastfed, compared to 73% in 2007. With more mothers breastfeeding, issues that might not have been noticed with bottle feeding are becoming more apparent.
      2. Inadequate Feeding Instruction: Many parents who choose to bottle-feed only receive basic instructions on how to use a bottle. Often, hospital staff or pediatricians do not observe bottle feeding closely. As a result, some babies might not feed optimally, even though they seem to be gaining weight. Bottles do not complain if a baby is clamping down too hard or spilling milk, which can mask underlying issues.
      3. Modern Lifestyle and Industrialization: There is growing evidence that modern lifestyle changes have impacted oral development.

      When your tongue presses against the top of your mouth while eating, it helps push food down to your throat. This also helps your mouth and jaw grow properly. If a child’s jaw is too short or their mouth is too narrow, their tongue might not reach the top of their mouth. Instead, it might rest against their bottom teeth, which can cause them to breathe through their mouth. Mouth breathing isn’t good for their health.

      Additionally, when a child lies flat to sleep, the tongue may fall back and block the throat, causing breathing issues. This can become a vicious cycle, worsened by the overuse of bottles, pacifiers, or sippy cups, which can distort the shape of the teeth and mouth. These issues are often part of broader health problems, including obesity, stress, and depression, which are linked to modern lifestyles.

      Conclusion

      In summary, evaluating oral function involves considering many factors. When parents express concerns about their baby’s feeding or oral function, a comprehensive assessment is crucial. Identifying oral restrictions is not always straightforward, but a thorough evaluation can help create a tailored feeding plan and address any issues effectively. At Sunshine Lactation, we are not only experts in breastfeeding but are also trained in all aspects of infant feeding, ensuring that we can provide the best support for both you and your baby.