Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment Satellite Beach
Freedom for Your Child’s Oral Tissues
Lip and tongue tie are fairly common defects that are present at birth. They can interfere with a child’s quality of life and adversely affect their long-term health! The good news is that lip and tongue tie treatment is readily available here in our Satellite Beach pediatric dentistry practice. We can help your child gain freedom for their oral tissues and enjoy a reduced risk of numerous complications. Continue reading below to learn more about this treatment.
Why Choose Beachside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment?
- Highly Experienced Pediatric Dentistry Team
- Treatment for Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Teens
- Minimally Invasive Procedure
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
A lip tie occurs when the tissue between the lip and gums (called a frenum or frenulum) is too short or thick, whereas a tongue tie occurs when the frenum between the tongue and floor of the mouth is too short or thick. These conditions restrict proper movement of the oral tissues. Lip and tongue ties are present at birth. They may be due to nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, genetics, or other factors.
Some cases of lip and tongue tie do not cause any serious symptoms and may not require treatment. However, these conditions usually start to cause symptoms during infancy. You might notice that breastfeeding is difficult or that your child is slow to gain weight. They may be colicky and demand frequent short feeding sessions. Your nipples may be sore, and you might experience clogged milk ducts. All such issues are good reasons to seek a professional evaluation for lip and tongue tie.
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
Lip and tongue ties can cause breastfeeding problems during infancy, but that is just the beginning of the trouble they can cause. Without proper treatment, these issues can continue to cause complications for your child throughout their life.
For example, they might be slow to develop their speaking ability, and they may have aversions for certain textures of food. They might also experience digestive problems and be at an increased risk of disordered breathing during sleep. An increased risk of dental health issues, such as cavities, is also a major concern.
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
The best way to treat lip and tongue tie is via a surgery known as a frenectomy. During this minimally invasive procedure, we numb your child’s mouth and then use a precise instrument to sever the tissue that is restricting their oral tissues. A frenectomy usually takes just a few minutes.
While the prospect of surgery — even a minor one — for your child might seem scary, rest assured that most patients recover quickly. You should notice improvements in your infant’s feeding habits right away. If a child is a bit older, they might need to attend myofunctional therapy to help them learn how to use their lip/tongue in the proper way.
Lip & Tongue Tie FAQs
How Should I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?
Very little preparation is required before a frenectomy. Your baby will not remember the procedure or realize what is happening, so there is no need to explain the situation to them. However, it would still be wise to take steps to keep both yourself and your child calm. We also recommend feeding your baby 60 – 90 minutes before the procedure so they are hungry and ready to nurse afterward.
In the last couple of days before the frenectomy, you may need to do some exercises with your baby to help them practice using their oral structures. For example, you may let them suck on one of your fingers, then gently pull away so they have to work harder to hold onto it. It may also be good to run a finger along their lower gums so their tongue follows your movements.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
In our office, we use a soft tissue laser to perform frenectomies. This advanced instrument causes very little discomfort. In fact, in many cases, we do not even have to use local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. There is usually very little bleeding because the laser cauterizes the tissue even as it severs it.
Your child may experience some post-op discomfort, but they should return to feeling normal within a short period of time.
Is My Child Old Enough to Get Lip or Tongue Tie Treatment?
There is no real minimum age for a frenectomy; the procedure can safely be performed just a few days after birth. In fact, the sooner it gets done, the better! Early treatment can prevent a lip or tongue tie from causing a range of complications, such as dental problems and speech delays.
Also, keep in mind that you should not delay your child’s treatment in the hopes that their lip or tongue tie will go away. Although children may learn how to live with these conditions, they do not resolve on their own, and they have the potential to cause lifelong complications.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?
The procedure is very brief, typically lasting mere minutes. Of course, various factors can affect its duration. It might take longer if we are performing both a lip and tongue tie during the same appointment, or if the tissues we are working on are particularly thick. During your child’s consultation, we can explain more about the procedure and how we expect it to go.
Will My Baby Cry During the Frenectomy?
Babies commonly cry during a frenectomy. This is not due to pain. Rather, they may simply dislike that someone is holding their lip or tongue. If you hear your baby crying, do not assume that something is wrong. Our team does all we can to make the procedure easy for our patients. If something does go amiss (which is very rare), you can rely on us to keep you updated.