Does My Child Need a Tongue or Lip-Tie Release?
A tongue or lip tie can lead to feeding and speech difficulties, impacting your child’s health and development. Our dedicated team at Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos may recommend a tongue or lip tie release, a procedure known as a frenectomy. The safe and highly successful procedure can improve the range of motion, enhancing your child’s health and quality of life.
What Are Tongue Ties and Lip Ties?
Every child has oral connective tissue attachments called frenula. The thin pieces of tissue help stabilize the tongue and lips. At times, these attachments are too short, tight, or thick, limiting the function and mobility of the tongue or lips. A tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum that connects the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth restricts tongue movement. A lip tie, on the other hand, occurs when the maxillary labial frenulum prevents a normal range of movement of the upper lip.
What Are the Impacts of Tongue or Lip Ties on Children?
Feeding difficulties are the most common childhood concern resulting from tongue or lip ties. Infants sometimes find breastfeeding challenging due to trouble latching, which can cause pain for both mother and baby and lead to poor weight gain. Restricted tongue movement can also interfere with proper speech development and the formation of specific sounds.
Tongue and lip ties can increase the risk of oral health concerns, such as tooth decay, gum recession, increased gaps between the front teeth, and improper tooth alignment. The severity of these impacts can vary from child to child, depending on the extent of tongue or lip restriction.
What Is a Tongue or Lip Tie Release?
A tongue or lip tie release, a procedure known as a frenectomy, is designed to release the tight or thick frenulum to increase the range of motion. A surgical frenectomy is a quick and simple process that involves the gentle release of the connective tissue. A laser frenectomy, on the other hand, involves the use of a soft-tissue laser to vaporize the excess tissue, releasing the tongue or lip tie with minimal pain, discomfort, bleeding, or recovery time.
Releasing a tongue or lip tie can significantly enhance your child’s quality of life by improving feeding and speech and optimizing dental health. Many parents are amazed at how their children thrive after the simple procedure.
Healing After a Tongue or Lip Tie Release
It’s important to follow the postoperative instructions provided to promote healing. We will demonstrate stretching exercises that your child will need to perform several times a day for a few weeks to prevent the frenulum from reattaching. We are happy to answer your questions and address any concerns.
Quality Pediatric Dentistry Services Near Me
If you see signs of a tongue or lip tie, contact Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos to schedule a consultation. Our board-certified pediatric dentists may recommend a referral for laser frenectomy to increase the tongue or lip’s range of motion and help your child thrive. Call 760-798-2825 to schedule your little one’s appointment, or complete the online appointment request form today!