Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment Danville
Freedom for Your Baby’s Smile
If your child has been struggling to feed, there is a chance that they have a lip or tongue tie. These abnormalities, which are present at birth in many children, can restrict movement of the oral tissues and lead to a host of difficulties and complications. The good news is that lip and tongue ties are highly treatable via a procedure called a frenectomy. Continue reading below to learn more about how our Danville team can contribute to freedom for your baby’s smile.
Why Choose Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Danville for Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment?
- Soft Tissue Laser for Fast & Comfortable Treatment
- Highly Skilled Pediatric Dentistry Team
- Protect Your Child’s Long-Term Oral Health
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
A lip tie occurs when the band of tissue between a lip and the gums is too short or thick. This tissue, called a frenulum or frenum, thus restricts proper movement of the lips. A tongue tie is similar, but it occurs when the frenulum that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is causing the restriction.
Lip and tongue ties can develop for various reasons, such as genetics, nutrient insufficiencies during pregnancy, and other factors.
Here are some signs and symptoms that can indicate the presence of a lip or tongue tie:
- Your child does not easily latch while nursing.
- Your baby is overly fussy.
- Your baby cannot easily hold a pacifier in their mouth.
- Your baby is slow to gain weight.
As a breastfeeding mother, you may also experience some symptoms, such as pain while nursing, clogged milk ducts, and poor milk supply.
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
Treating lip and tongue ties is important because these issues can continue to cause problems throughout childhood and adulthood if they are not addressed in a timely manner. For example, your child may experience delays in speech development, or they might avoid certain textures of food. Dental problems, such as cavities, bad breath, and tooth misalignment, are also more likely to occur. Some kids even experience behavioral problems due to the challenges presented by an untreated lip or tongue tie.
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
The standard treatment for a lip or tongue tie is a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a frenectomy. We simply use a soft tissue laser to modify or remove the frenulum that is causing the problem. Then, your baby should have full movement of their oral structures. The procedure is fast and relatively comfortable. Recovery time is short as well. The soft tissue laser minimizes bleeding and the risk of infection.
The procedure is so fast and easy that breastfeeding is encouraged immediately afterward!