1 IN EVERY 1700 babies in the US is born with cleft palate, 1 in 2800 is born with cleft lip, and 1 in 1600 is born with both. These orofacial clefts are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth doesn’t form properly during pregnancy. 🤰 Cleft lip and palate tend to create a lot of difficulty for these children when they try to eat or speak clearly, and they tend to have more ear infections, hearing problems, and dental problems. 👦👧 A child with a cleft usually has poor bone support for the dental arch, a smaller-than-usual mouth, and deformations in the roots of their teeth. They also have irregular saliva that is less effective at warding off tooth decay and makes their mouths more acidic. Regular dental visits and careful dental hygiene habits are essential to protect their teeth. Most cases of orofacial cleft can be repaired surgically (whether in a one-time operation or a series of procedures, depending on the severity). The surgery aims to improve the appearance ...