Feeding problems: A cleft lip does not cause much trouble in feeding the baby, but the clefts in the palate can prevent the baby from being breastfed or bottle fed well. In order to nurse, the mouth must be deflated, but a gap in the palate prevents this. For babies with cleft palate, some milk may get into their throat or milk may come out of their nose when they drink milk. Using an orthodontic appliance can prevent the passage of milk from the mouth to the nose. The orthodontic device is placed on the roof of the patient’s mouth during breastfeeding, and it facilitates the sick child’s drinking of milk by blocking the fissure. Natural lollipop heads are not usable for these children because they cannot suck strongly, so they must be fed with special lollipop heads or other means. There are types. From milk bottles and lollipops for this. Squeeze bottles are one of the types that easily get milk into the baby’s mouth without wasting the baby’s energy.
Speech problems: In a group of patients with cleft palate, speech problems occur. These children usually start speaking late or suffer from nasal speech. Fissure repair can help with speech problems. These patients will also need speech therapy.
Hearing problems: Any abnormality in the upper respiratory tract can impair the function of the Eustachian tube and increase the likelihood of fluid buildup in the middle ear. This increases the possibility of otitis media. Hearing loss is also the result of frequent middle ear infections. Babies between the ages of 3 and 6 months with a cleft palate should be examined by an otolaryngologist.
Maxillofacial problems: Cleft palate affects the number of teeth. In these patients, some tooth buds are absent and additional teeth and discoloration can be seen on other teeth. There is a high chance of small teeth or no tooth buds in the area of the incisions. The absence of tooth buds in the upper jaw and complications from previous surgeries can cause Slowing the growth of the upper jaw. Since the teeth of these patients do not grow in the right direction and since the upper jaw is slow to grow, these patients should be monitored by an orthodontist, oral care and upper jaw forward in children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The orthodontist will align the teeth The upper jaw is directed forward, and any gaps in these patients must be adequately closed, and if necessary, the missing tooth space can be filled with dental implants. Orthodontic treatment for these patients is performed using fixed and removable orthodontic appliances.
Psychological problemsThese children suffer from mistrust and psychological problems due to their inappropriate appearance and speech problems. At the same time, the parents suffer from psychological problems such as guilt and worry about the future of the child. Parents should treat the child with cleft lip like a normal child. If the parents do not allow the child to enter society, the child will not learn life and motor skills.
