Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment San Ramon
Setting Up the Foundation for Long-Term Oral Health
Did you know that lip and tongue ties can affect up to 15% of babies? These common abnormalities can cause a range of problems if they are left untreated. Fortunately, our San Ramon team is well-equipped to provide frenectomies, a minimally invasive surgery that can address lip and tongue ties and set up the foundation for your child’s long-term oral health. Would you like to learn more about lip and tongue tie treatment? Continue reading below, or contact our office to ask questions.
Why Choose Gale Ranch Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of San Ramon for Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment?
- Soft Tissue Laser for Fast & Easy Treatment
- Modern, Comfortable Pediatric Dentistry Office
- Prevent Future Oral Health Problems
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
A lip tie occurs when the band of tissue between the lip and gums (called a frenulum or frenum) is too short or thick. A tongue tie is the name for what happens when the frenum beneath the tongue is too short or thick. These conditions restrict movement of the oral tissues, which can lead to numerous functional problems.
Lip and tongue ties are present at birth. The reason for their development may be related to genetics or nutrient insufficiencies during pregnancy.
Here are some signs that your baby might have a lip or tongue tie:
- They have difficulty latching while nursing.
- Feeding sessions are frequent and short.
- Your baby is slow to gain weight.
- Your baby is unusually fussy.
- As a breastfeeding mother, your nipples are sore, or you have clogged milk ducts.
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
Lip and tongue ties do more than cause problems during infancy. If they remain untreated, they can continue to cause issues throughout childhood and even into adulthood. For example, your child may be at an increased risk of:
- Misaligned teeth due to improper tongue positioning.
- Aversions to certain textures of food.
- Dental problems, such as bad breath, cavities, and gum disease (due to an inability to clean certain areas of the mouth with the tongue).
- Chronic mouth breathing.
- Disordered breathing during sleep, such as chronic snoring or even obstructive sleep apnea.
- Behavioral problems or poor school performance due to dental pain or poor sleep quality.
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
Treating a lip or tongue tie is a pretty straightforward process. We use a soft tissue laser to modify or remove the frenulum that is restricting the movement of your baby’s oral structures. The laser minimizes bleeding and discomfort and supports a fast recovery time. Your child should even be able to breastfeed immediately after their procedure! A frenectomy may take just a few minutes, and it can provide lifelong benefits!