If your baby has trouble sealing onto the breast or bottle, or you have noticed the upper lip tucking under instead of flaring out, a lip tie might be part of the story. A lip tie is a tight band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum above the front teeth, and it can quietly make feeding more of a battle than it should be. The good news is that spotting one is straightforward once you know what to look for, and it does not always call for treatment. At Growing Grins Pediatric Dentistry in Newnan, GA, we help families sort out whether a lip tie is truly the problem or simply a harmless bit of anatomy.

This Article Will Address

• What a lip tie is and why it happens
• The signs that help you spot one at home
• How a lip tie differs from a tongue tie
• Whether a lip tie causes a front-tooth gap, and when treatment is truly needed

What Is a Lip Tie?

A lip tie is an upper lip frenulum that is unusually thick, short, or attached low, so it limits how far the top lip can lift and flange. Every baby has this small fold of tissue between the upper lip and the gum, and for most it causes no problems whatsoever. It only becomes a lip tie worth discussing when it restricts movement enough to affect feeding, comfort, or oral hygiene. Because the upper lip needs to flare outward to help create a strong seal, a tethered lip can make nursing and bottle feeding frustrating for a baby who is otherwise doing everything right. A lip tie is present from birth and is nobody’s fault. It is simply a variation in how the mouth formed, and the only question that really matters is whether it is getting in the way enough to be worth addressing.

How a Lip Tie Can Affect Feeding

When the upper lip cannot flange, the seal around the breast or bottle breaks down, and that single mechanical problem ripples into the rest of a feed:

• Air sneaks in around a weak seal, leading to gas and fussiness
• Feeds take longer because the baby works harder for less milk
• Clicking or slurping sounds show up as the latch keeps breaking
• The nursing parent may feel pinching or notice a lipstick-shaped nipple after feeds

None of this means you are doing anything wrong. It simply means the lip may need a closer look.

What Does a Lip Tie Look Like?

A lip tie looks like a band of tissue that keeps the upper lip from flipping up freely, often attaching low toward or between the front teeth. When you gently lift your baby’s upper lip, a few things may stand out:

• The lip resists flipping up, or tents into a tight curl
• A thick or wide band runs from the inside of the lip to the gum
• The attachment sits low, close to or between the two front teeth
• During feeding the upper lip tucks inward instead of flaring out

These clues are a helpful starting point, not a diagnosis. Babies who show them are often seen alongside our infant dental care visits, where we look at feeding and mouth development together rather than in isolation.

How Is a Lip Tie Different from a Tongue Tie?

The difference is location. A lip tie restricts the upper lip, while a tongue tie restricts the tongue through a band underneath it. They are separate conditions, but they often travel together, and a baby can have one, the other, or both at the same time. That overlap is exactly why a careful exam matters, because treating a lip tie while missing a tongue tie rarely gives a family the full relief they are hoping for. Dr. Ashlee Turner-Lee checks both the lip and the tongue during an evaluation, and because she is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, she considers how the whole mouth is working together during a feed. That dual view helps her avoid two common mistakes: treating a tie that was never the real issue, or missing a second restriction that would have undone the first release.

Can a Lip Tie Cause a Gap Between the Front Teeth?

Sometimes, yes. A low, thick band can extend down between the two upper front teeth and contribute to a gap, known as a diastema. Here is the part that surprises many parents: a small gap between baby teeth is often completely normal and can close on its own as more teeth come in and the jaw grows. So a gap by itself is not a reason to panic or rush into treatment. What we watch for is whether the band is also causing feeding trouble, discomfort, or difficulty keeping the area clean, because those are the factors that actually guide a decision rather than looks alone. A gap that is purely cosmetic in a toddler is usually something to watch, not something to fix, and we will tell you plainly when that is the situation.

Does a Lip Tie Always Need Treatment?

No, a lip tie does not always need treatment. Plenty of lip ties never cause a problem and are best left alone, and we will always tell you honestly when that is the case. Treatment enters the conversation only when a lip tie is clearly interfering with daily life:

• Feeding is painful or inefficient despite good positioning and support
• Your baby struggles to gain weight or stay latched
• The tethered lip traps milk or food and makes cleaning difficult
• An older child has hygiene or comfort issues tied to the band

When a release is the right call, our gentle lip and tongue tie release is a quick procedure and Dr. Ashlee will walk you through it before anything begins. When it is not needed, we are just as happy to reassure you and simply keep an eye on things over time. Our goal is the right decision for your child, not treatment for its own sake.

What to Expect at a Lip Tie Evaluation

An evaluation is calm and quick, and nothing about it should feel intimidating. Dr. Ashlee gently lifts and examines the upper lip, checks the tongue at the same time, and talks with you about how feeding has been going. If you are nursing, she may watch a feed, since how the mouth functions matters as much as how it looks. You will leave understanding exactly what she found, whether a release makes sense, and what your options are if you would rather wait. There is never any pressure to decide on the spot, and every question is welcome, no matter how small it seems.

Talk to Dr. Ashlee About Your Baby’s Lip Tie

A lip tie does not have to be a mystery, and you should not have to diagnose it from a late-night internet search. Growing Grins Pediatric Dentistry is open and welcoming new families throughout Newnan, and an evaluation gives you a clear, no-pressure answer. Explore our children’s dental services, then request a visit by phone, email, or online. Same-day appointments are available when feeding cannot wait.

Sources

• • • Healthline: Identifying and Treating a Lip Tie in Babies and Toddlers
    • WebMD: Lip Tie in Babies
    • Cleveland Clinic: Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)