Unilateral Cleft Lip and Bilateral Cleft Lip

Cleft Lip

A cleft lip is a state or disease in which the newborns have a slit or opening on their upper lip. However, this is a treatable disease. Sometimes, this appears on both sides of the upper or sometimes on a single side.

The single cut on the upper lip, called unilateral cleft, whereas if an infant has cut on both sides of the upper lip, then it is bilateral cleft lip.

Well, the reason behind the development of cleft lip is still unknown. However, any infant can come into this world with the oral cleft disease. The condition is visible right after the birth of a child. Moreover, it is a treatable state and needs surgery.

Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip

During pregnancy, when an unborn adopts the facial structure in the womb, some of the parts of the upper lip fail to close, it creates a slit in the middle of the upper lip. Well, the cleft is hardly noticeable in the regular checkups and ultrasounds. Moreover, sometimes after the birth of a child, you cannot identify the oral cleft. When it becomes bigger, then you recognize the opening or cut in the middle of the upper lip. However, in many of the cases, a newborn can exhibit the oral cleft right after birth. Moreover, it requires cosmetic treatments to cure the issue and close the lip. When the lip has a cleft, then it is a unilateral cleft lip. In this condition, the cut extends into the roof of the mouth.

Well, in the case of bilateral cleft lip, the palate and lip both have a natural slit. According to the Seattle Children Hospital, only 86% of bilateral cleft lip patients have cleft palate; however, 68% of the infants have a unilateral cleft lip that can extend to the palate.

Moreover, the bilateral cleft lip is rare in infants. Most of the kids were born with a unilateral oral cleft. The ratio of unilateral cleft lip in the newborns is 9% higher than the bilateral cleft lips.

Moreover, the bilateral oral cleft is symmetrical in a few cases. The cut on both sides is not the same always. However, it might be asymmetrical as well. According to the International Craniofacial Institute, in a few bilateral cleft lips, a part of the upper lip overgrows. When a bilateral oral cleft extends in between the front teeth, then the portion in that cleft can protrude forward and downward, called Prolabium.

Causes of Cleft Lip

One of the primary but rare causes of the oral cleft is inherited. So, if any of the ancestors have had the cleft lip, then there are chances that the newborn has this condition because of the genes. However, there are many other reasons for this state in infants. Moreover, many myths are connected to the oral cleft problem. According to the University of Missouri Children's Hospital, some drugs and chemicals have a strong connection to cleft lip disease. Moreover, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine, exposure to rubella (a German measles) during pregnancy has a powerful impact on oral cleft. Moreover, deficiency of vitamins, smoking, and intake of alcohol are some other usual causes of the cleft lip, either unilateral or bilateral.

Oral Care

Kids who have cleft left usually suffer from weak teeth, cracks in the structure of a tooth, and missing teeth problems. However, they need some medicated toothpaste and mouthwashes to make them sturdy. A child requires fluoride paste to brush the teeth regularly. Moreover, diet also plays an essential role in healthy and well-built teeth.