A tumor of the upper lip in a child may appear for no apparent reason, that is, it was not preceded by a blow, and the presence of an abscess (boil) is not visually determined. The fact is that the mucous membranes in the oral cavity are characterized by increased sensitivity, especially in children (the immune system is not fully formed), which means that swelling can be caused by a variety of factors. A swollen upper lip in a child is a reason to visit a doctor, and first of all you need to see a dentist, since there are diseases of the oral cavity in which the first symptom will be severe swelling of the mucous membrane and, as a consequence, the phenomenon in question.
Symptoms of gum inflammation
According to statistics, more than 70% of people have experienced inflammation of the gums between their front teeth at least once in their lives. The main signs of the problem include:
- redness of the gingival papilla,
- swelling of soft tissues,
- bleeding gums,
- bad breath,
- accumulation of pus in the interdental space,
- discomfort when brushing teeth and eating.
If you notice any of these signs, you should consult your doctor. These symptoms can indicate either injury to the gums from hard food or bones, or the development of serious diseases.
Tongue frenulum
The most complex and insidious frenulum in a child's mouth. It is this frenulum that is able to regulate the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity. Normally, the frenulum is woven approximately in the middle of the tongue, and its length is approximately 8 mm. If the frenulum is attached almost to the tip of the tongue, this is a direct indication for correction.
After birth, the doctor must examine the baby’s oral cavity, which makes it possible to diagnose the pathology. If the frenulum is short, this can lead to difficulties in feeding, and correction is carried out in the maternity ward.
In some cases, the doctor may not notice a short frenulum, but when feeding, the child may experience symptoms that indirectly indicate pathology.
When feeding, the baby makes “smacking” sounds, often drops the breast and tries to rest - the feeding schedule changes, and the number of feedings increases. Babies may be capricious at the breast or even refuse, as a result the child does not gain weight well. Mothers often complain that babies bite their breasts because they cannot get their tongue between the gums and the mother’s nipple.
A short frenulum in the oral cavity can be diagnosed throughout life. In order to make sure once and for all that everything is in order in the child’s mouth, it is necessary to carry out a series of tests. Parents can also do this, although the doctor will most correctly conduct the tests.
The child should be asked to open his mouth and reach his tongue to the roof of his mouth. If the baby performs this operation without any difficulties, there is nothing to fear. But, if the child experiences unpleasant or painful sensations, or the baby is not able to reach the sky, this is an indication for a quick visit to the dentist. Parents should remember that such a test is informative only for children two to three years old.
Only a dentist or speech therapist can confirm shortening of the frenulum of the tongue in children of school and preschool age. Usually, an examination is prompted by a speech disorder in a child, when the child cannot pronounce a certain set of sounds - “r”, “sh”, “sch”, “zh”, “ch”, etc.
How does the correction happen?
There are features of correction depending on the age of the child. In the case of frenulum correction in newborns, which occurs in the maternity ward and with the obligatory presence of the mother, the frenulum is cut using special scissors or a laser, the latter is preferred. There are no nerve fibers in the frenulum itself, but there are many blood vessels. When using a laser, all blood capillaries are closed - there is no bleeding, and there is no need for stitches. A prerequisite is the presence of the mother during the procedure, since immediately after excision of the frenulum, the baby must be attached to the breast. It is at this time that the frenulum returns to normal and possible bleeding stops.
In the case of correction of the tongue frenulum in older children, both surgical and speech therapy treatment can be used. Everything will depend on its length and the age of the child, and on the consequences that this pathology provoked. Parents must clearly remember that the final verdict rests with the dentist, and not with the speech therapist, who can sometimes give false hopes for stretching the oral frenulum using various exercises.
It is the dentist who can assess the damage and clearly predict whether speech therapy treatment is suitable in each specific case. Quite often, dentists advise using complex treatment: surgical dissection of the oral frenulum and the use of speech therapy exercises - this combination gives excellent results.
Possible reasons
In most cases, the gums become inflamed due to poor oral hygiene. Plaque accumulates on the teeth, which is a favorable environment for the proliferation of microbes. Soft deposits compact and transform into tartar, which is located along the edges of the gums. Inflammation between the front teeth can also be associated with smoking, mechanical damage to the gingival papilla, a burn to the oral cavity, or a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.
This symptom is also characteristic of the clinical picture of the following diseases:
- gingivitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane due to the accumulation of plaque, accompanied by redness and swelling of the gums;
- periodontitis – develops with advanced gingivitis, leads to the formation of periodontal pockets, loosening of teeth and their loss;
- papillitis is inflammation of the interdental papilla; provoking factors include caries, thermal and mechanical effects, allergic reactions, endocrine diseases.
Diagnostics will help to establish the exact cause of the problem: visual and instrumental examinations, radiography.
Indications for labial frenuloplasty
Normally, the frenulum does not interfere with a person in any way, but in some cases it can cause significant discomfort. Due to certain physiological characteristics, it can interfere with normal speech, negatively affect teeth and cause malocclusion. In such cases, surgery is necessary.
If there are abnormalities in the attachment of the frenulum to the upper or lower lip, surgical plastic surgery is indicated. Indications for surgery may be:
- formation of a diastema (gap between the front teeth);
- disorders of chewing functions;
- inflammation of the gums;
- periodontal diseases;
- dysfunction of sucking in infants;
- speech defects in children, etc.
Upper lip frenuloplasty is also performed for hygienic reasons. A wide frenulum leads to a systematic accumulation of deposits between the teeth. As a result, plaque forms on the surface of the incisors, and then tartar. All this can cause the development of caries and inflammation of soft tissues.
Another common complication that accompanies an incorrect frenulum is the development of tooth instability and increased sensitivity. A wide frenulum leads to exposure of the roots of the teeth, which significantly reduces overall immunity in the oral cavity. Bacteria and infections easily penetrate the gums, which leads to various periodontal diseases.
A short frenulum interferes with normal speech. The operation must be carried out for freer movement of the tongue and lips, without which the development of correct diction is impossible. The decision to correct the frenulum in this case is made by a speech therapist.
Indications for plastic surgery are determined by the following specialists:
- orthodontist;
- neonatologist;
- speech therapist,
- periodontist.
Plastic surgery to correct the frenulum of the upper lip should be performed in childhood. The most optimal age is 7-8 years (after complete eruption of the upper incisors). Advanced anomalies, such as an overly wide frenulum, can lead to serious consequences that can only be eliminated with long-term orthodontic treatment.
Treatment methods
Treatment of inflamed interdental papillae is aimed at eliminating increased sensitivity and pain. This may include:
- rinsing the mouth with antiseptic solutions and chamomile decoction,
- applications of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments,
- taking antibacterial drugs,
- professional teeth cleaning,
- coagulation of overgrown tissues.
The treatment regimen is chosen by the doctor taking into account the diagnosis, clinical picture, and individual characteristics of the patient’s oral cavity.
At what age is the procedure performed for children?
In children, pathologies of the lower lip frenulum can cause various negative medical and aesthetic consequences. Therefore, if a doctor finds a defect during a routine examination and recommends plastic surgery, it is better to take his advice.
Dentists believe that the best age for frenulum correction in children is from 5 to 8 years. It is during this period that temporary teeth are replaced with permanent ones, so it is important that the frenulum does not disrupt the correct development of the molar units.
If there are indications, plastic surgery of the lower lip frenulum can be performed in adolescents or adults. For infants, this operation is prescribed only if there are serious problems, for example, the inability to fully feed on breast milk.
Plastic surgery of the frenulum of the tongue, upper and lower lips - features of the procedure
Defects of the frenulum of the tongue and lips: features and treatment methods
Frenules are mucous cords that are attached to the tongue, upper and lower lips.
Under normal conditions, they are not felt by humans in any way. But some patients experience pathologies of their development. Because of this, they feel discomfort, the cords are constantly injured, inflammation, bleeding and other problems occur. The situation can be corrected by plastic surgery of the tongue frenulum, which is performed in dental clinics. If you ignore the problem, it can lead to serious consequences:
- Incisor diastema (gap between teeth).
- Pronunciation problems.
- Periodontal inflammation, root exposure. There may be problems with bone tissue that lead to increased tooth mobility.
- Difficulty with chewing and swallowing food.
Also, due to problems with the frenulum, the child may develop an incorrect bite, and in particularly difficult cases, a violation of the formation of the jaws. Plastic surgery of the child's tongue frenulum will allow him to get rid of the pathology once and for all.
How to determine if there are problems
You can tell that a child has a short frenulum by the following signs:
- Newborn babies have problems sucking at the breast. The baby gets tired quickly, the procedure itself takes longer than usual. Many children give up breastfeeding early and switch to artificial nutrition.
- At 7–9 months, children develop an anomaly in the lower jaw. The hollow of the chin sinks, the tongue moves with difficulty.
- At 5–6 years old, a child cannot pronounce the sounds “r” and “l” normally.
- At the age of 8–9 years, the lower central teeth shift, and bite pathologies appear. Children with a short frenulum find it difficult to chew; it is constantly injured, there is inflammation on the gums, and the teeth become exposed and loose.
In most cases, frenulum cutting surgery is performed between the ages of 5 and 7 years. But some parents ignore the problem, due to which teenagers face various problems. Surgeries are also possible for adults. If you experience discomfort or difficulty, consult an experienced dentist.
Indications and contraindications
Before carrying out any actions, the dentist examines the small patient and decides on intervention or non-intervention. The operation is usually performed on children over 5 years of age. Newborns undergo plastic surgery only in cases where the frenulum seriously limits the mobility of the tongue.
The following are considered indications:
- A massive cord prevents the normal development of the lower jaw.
- The frenulum prevents the tongue from moving. The baby cannot pronounce sounds or chew normally.
- A pocket forms between the gum and lip, which is called a diastema.
- The baby’s bite begins to disturb (or there is simply a threat of such a situation occurring).
Adults sometimes undergo plastic surgery because the frenulum interferes with the placement of crowns or implants on the front of the jaw. Contraindications for surgery include:
- The patient has problems with blood clotting.
- Untreated caries or other dental diseases.
- The presence or acute phase of chronic diseases.
- Infectious diseases.
- The presence of inflammation or disease on the mucous membrane.
It is also not recommended to carry out intervention in the presence of tuberculosis, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
How the correction is carried out
There are two ways to correct the situation:
- Classic method. A scalpel is used for cutting. The mucous membrane is dissected and then stitched in the required manner. The healing process takes 2–4 days.
- Laser correction. Instead of a scalpel, a laser beam is used. Due to the high temperature, the tissue immediately coagulates, so bleeding does not occur. Rehabilitation usually takes two days.
Modern dentists usually use lasers. It is safer and more practical. Thus, to correct the lip or tongue, classical anesthesia is not needed, the operation takes little time, and the risks of infection are minimized.
What to do after surgery
The wound after correction heals within 2–6 days, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. At this time, you need to be extremely careful not to damage the flesh or introduce an infection into it. It is recommended to rinse your mouth after every meal; in some cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to the patient.
Follow these guidelines:
- For the first couple of weeks, it is recommended to avoid eating solid foods (meat, apples, nuts, etc.).
- You should not eat too hot, cold, spicy or sour foods, as well as drinks, including alcohol.
- Contact your dentist two to three days after surgery to monitor the healing process.
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a course of restorative exercises. Be sure to go through it to get rid of the problem. Maintaining good hygiene is also important, but be careful not to damage the soft tissue when brushing.
If you want the operation to be as quick and painless as possible, then contact Crystal Dentistry. Qualified doctors work here and have all the equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Call us, we work without breaks and weekends.
