LIP & TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT CROWN POINT
Better Latches, Happier Babies, & Relieved Moms
Does your infant struggle to nurse or bottle feed? Is it almost impossible to get a proper latch and milk flow? Tired of feeling like you’re a bad mom? Stop. Many parents encounter these issues and more because of lip and tongue-ties! While simple anatomy can cause big problems, a small procedure might be all you need to restore your child’s oral function and turn mealtime into a positive bonding experience. Offering faster and painless laser treatment, it’s time to stop blaming yourself and schedule your reservation at Pediatric Dental Care, Inc.
Why Choose Pediatric Dental Care, Inc. for Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Gentle, Non-Invasive LightScalpel CO2 Laser Treatment
- Led by Multiple Skilled Pediatric Dentists
- Only Local Provider Who Offers Frenectomies for Newborns
How Do Lip & Tongue-Ties Develop?
The truth is that modern science hasn’t determined exactly what leads to lip and tongue-ties, but there seems to be a strong genetic component because they have been shown to run in families. What we do know is that they tend to develop in utero during the last few weeks of pregnancy, and thankfully, they are easy to treat in even the smallest babies.
Symptoms of Lip & Tongue-Ties
In babies, the symptoms may include, but aren’t limited to:
- The infant isn't gaining weight as expected
- They are gaining weight but exhibit a shallow latch and fall off the breast during feeding
- They leak milk from the corners of their mouth while trying to breastfeed
- They make clicking noises when trying to nurse
- Nursing is painful or uncomfortable for you
- The infant is gassy following feedings
While most are found and treated during infancy, some are not. That means your older child or teen might be dealing with a tie if they exhibit any of the following:
- They can't stick out their tongue farther than their front teeth.
- The child can't reach the back of the front teeth with their tongue
- The child's tongue appears heart-shaped or notched when it is extended
- The child can't reach their upper teeth with their tongue
- They find it difficult to move the tongue from side to side
- The child complains that their tongue makes it difficult to eat or enunciate
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
While having trouble feeding your baby is already bad enough, left untreated, lip and tongue ties can hamper your child in several different ways. It can make the switch to solid food very difficult, and can prevent proper maxillofacial development from the tongue lying on the floor of the mouth rather than the palate. It can also be uncomfortable, prevent the teeth from coming in straight, and even lead to sleep-breathing issues that resemble sleep apnea. While many other factors can lead to several similar symptoms, a frenum release can normally offer substantial improvement.
How Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment Works
Before we address your child’s lip or tongue tie, we’ll sit down with you to make sure you understand every step of the process. During this frenectomy consultation, we’ll complete a thorough examination of your child’s mouth and ask you about their medical history; correctly evaluating all of the symptoms first is key! We’ll also capture intraoral photos, and of course, you’ll have the chance to ask any questions before we get started, whether they be about the actual procedure, our office protocols, proper aftercare, or how to ensure your child is prepared for their treatment.
We perform frenectomies with an advanced surgical soft tissue CO2 laser, the LightScalpel. This increases precision and reduces the risk of complications by using light energy, which creates a focused, high-energy beam that also sterilizes the treatment area as we release the tissue. The actual procedure is quick and painless, only taking about ten seconds! We also always provide parents and guardians with thorough aftercare instructions prior to starting the treatment.
