In the past, when a child was born with a cleft lip, it meant a lifetime of living with this congenital condition. Today, cleft lip still occurs, but it’s uncommon to see a person with a cleft lip in areas like New Jersey. This is because cleft lip is highly treatable with the support of a good dentist in North Englewood, NJ. In fact, there are many famous people who you probably know, who were born with cleft lip, who had the condition fixed and have gone on to be considered some of the most attractive people. The point is, if your baby is born with cleft lip, there’s no reason to feel hopeless, since treatment is available.

What Causes a Cleft Lip?

Cleft lips form early in pregnancy when the tissue that forms the upper lip does not join together completely. While the exact cause isn’t always known, cleft lips are believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These may include family history, maternal smoking, certain medications during pregnancy or nutritional deficiencies like low folic acid levels.

How a Cleft Lip Affects Health

A cleft lip can impact a child’s ability to eat, speak and breathe properly, especially when combined with a cleft palate. Feeding may be difficult in newborns, and speech development may be affected. Children with cleft conditions may also be more prone to ear infections and hearing issues.

Treatment and Outlook

Surgery for cleft lip is typically performed within the first few months of life and may be followed by additional procedures as the child grows. A team of specialists, including surgeons, speech therapists, dentists and pediatricians often work together to ensure comprehensive care.

With modern surgical techniques and multidisciplinary support, most children born with a cleft lip go on to lead healthy, active lives. Early diagnosis with the help of a pediatric dentist in North Englewood, NJ, family support and coordinated treatment make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.