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!
Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs
How Should I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?
The good news is that there’s very little preparation you need to do before a laser frenectomy. Your baby will not realize what’s going on or remember any of the events, but do your best to try and keep them and yourself calm and avoid any extra stress. We recommend feeding your baby about 60 to 90 minutes before the procedure, so they are a little bit hungry and ready to nurse or feed afterward.
In the day or so prior to their procedure, you can do several exercises with your baby to help them practice suction with their tongue:
- Place a clean finger on their tongue and allow them to suck on it. Gently pull it away, forcing them to work a bit harder to keep it in.
- Gently rub a clean finger along their lower gums. Their tongue should follow your movements, and the side-to-side motions should help them learn important lateral function after their procedure.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
Fortunately, no, laser frenectomies don’t hurt. In fact, in many cases local anesthetic may not be needed at all. The precise soft-tissue laser your dentist uses only targets excess tissue, cauterizing it as it severs. This reduces the amount of bleeding and helps keep the area safe from infection. However, if the tissue is especially thick, a local anesthetic may still be necessary. Your dentist will discuss this with you at your child’s consultation.
Is My Child Old Enough to Get Lip or Tongue-Tie Treatment?
We understand the thought of your tiny baby going through any type of procedure is scary- even a minor one like a laser frenectomy. The good news, however, is that there is basically no age minimum for this treatment. In fact, it can be performed just a few days after birth. Furthermore, because lip and tongue ties don’t go away on their own, there is no reason to postpone treatment. The sooner you correct the problem, the sooner your baby can enjoy improved oral function and breastfeeding.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?
Typically, a laser frenectomy takes just a few minutes. If your child’s frenulum is especially thick or if they are having both a lip and tongue frenectomy, a bit more time may be necessary. When you speak to your dentist at your consultation, he or she will explain the details of the procedure and can give you a better time estimate.