If your baby is having trouble breastfeeding, a lot of the time this problem may be caused by a tongue or lip tie.
It can be a frustrating situation for parents, but the good news is that there is a simple procedure that can help remove it. Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about tongue and lip ties, and how they can be fixed by your pediatric dentist in Valencia.
A tongue tie is a type of physical impairment in which the tongue is too tightly attached to the mouth.
The tongue and mouth are normally connected by a bit of soft tissue called a frenum. Though connected, the frenum still allows the tongue to move, giving us the ability to speak and chew our food properly. But if the frenulum is too small, it can greatly restrict the mobility of the tongue and lips.
In these cases, the baby’s tongue cannot extend far out enough, which makes it harder for them to create a suction motion that allows them to breastfeed or even feed themselves from the bottle.
Similar to a tongue tie, a lip tie also refers to a short frenulum that prevents the lips from properly moving. The lips and mouth are connected by this tiny piece of tissue, and when it’s too small, it restricts movement.
This can prevent the baby from latching and feeding.
Tongue and lip ties are easily fixed through a procedure called a “frenectomy,” which involves using a special laser to release the tongue or lip and reconstruct the frenum. The procedure is so simple that it only lasts around 15 minutes, and doesn’t even require any numbing a lot of the time!
Plus, frenectomies are recommended only when truly necessary. If you notice your child has difficulty feeding and makes clicking and popping sounds when breastfeeding, we recommend bringing them to see Dr. Laura Greenwald for an appointment.
She will inspect the child’s tongue or lip tie and determine whether a frenectomy is truly necessary, or provide an alternative course of action, depending on your child’s specific case.
After the procedure, your child should then be able to properly eat. Moreover, the procedure can have amazing long-term effects, such as helping with healthy speech development later on.
We understand you may feel anxious about your child needing a procedure like frenectomies. But we assure you the little one’s in safe and capable hands with Dr. Laura Greenwald.
Request a frenectomy consultation at All Kids Dentistry online, and bring your child to our office to find out if this procedure can help.
For more information, don’t hesitate to call (661) 349-8636 for a quick chat.
