Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment Dublin

Freedom for Your Baby’s Smile

Lip and tongue ties are conditions that affect the movement of your baby’s oral structures. Without timely treatment, they can lead to some serious complications! Fortunately, addressing these issues is relatively easy via a procedure known as a frenectomy. Here at Waterford Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Dublin, our team uses an advanced soft tissue laser to make this treatment as comfortable as possible for your precious child. Contact us today to learn more or request an appointment.

How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?

Mother playing with her baby

Lip and tongue ties involve restrictions of the movement of your baby’s oral tissues, which can affect feeding, growth, and even long-term oral health.

Lip ties occur when the tissue connecting the lip to the gums (called a frenum or frenulum) is too short or thick, which limits the movement of the lips. Tongue ties refer to a similar issue with the tissue under the tongue, which may also be too short, thick, or malformed. These conditions are present at birth and may result from genetic factors or developmental issues during pregnancy.

We encourage you to watch for these signs, which may indicate that your baby has a lip or tongue tie:

  • Your baby finds it difficult to latch during breastfeeding.
  • Feedings are frequent but seem incomplete or short.
  • Your baby struggles to hold a pacifier in their mouth.
  • Your baby is slow to gain weight or seems fussy more often than usual.
  • You, as a breastfeeding mother, experience sore nipples or clogged milk ducts.

Why Is It Important to Treat Lip and Tongue Tie?

Fussy baby in their mother’s arms

Untreated lip and tongue ties may lead to significant challenges beyond infancy. As your child grows, these conditions can result in:

  • Speech difficulties due to restricted tongue movement.
  • Improper alignment of teeth caused by limited tongue positioning.
  • Aversion to certain food textures, leading to picky eating behaviors.
  • An increased risk of dental problems, such as cavities or gum disease, because the tongue cannot adequately clean certain areas of the mouth.
  • Chronic mouth breathing or sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Behavioral issues or poor academic performance that stem from dental discomfort or poor-quality sleep.

Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment

Happy baby sticking their tongue out

At our pediatric dental practice in Dublin, CA, we take a compassionate and effective approach to treating lip and tongue ties. The procedure we perform, called a frenectomy, is straightforward and minimally invasive. We use a soft tissue laser to ensure precision, reduce discomfort, and promote faster healing. This advanced technology allows your baby to resume breastfeeding almost immediately after the procedure.

A frenectomy takes only a few minutes but can provide a lifetime of benefits. By addressing the issue early, we can help your child to enjoy improved feeding, better oral health, and optimal development. Together, we can give your baby the freedom to smile, speak, and thrive.

Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs

How Should I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?

Babies do not need much preparation before a frenectomy since they do not realize what is happening and will not remember the procedure afterward. However, it’s important to keep yourself and your child calm to avoid unnecessary stress. We usually recommend feeding your child about sixty to ninety minutes before their treatment so they will be hungry and ready to nurse afterward.

In the days before the procedure, it might be a great idea to do several exercises with your child to help them get used to drawing liquid with their tongue. For example, you can place a clean finger on their tongue and allow them to suck on it. Then, gently pull your finger away so they have to work a little harder to keep it in their mouth. You can also gently rub a clean finger along their lower gums. Their tongue will follow this movement, which will help prepare them to move their mouths properly after the treatment.

Do Laser Frenectomies Hurt?

When performing frenectomies, the team at Waterford Pediatrics & Orthodontics uses gentle surgical lasers that are incredibly precise. This allows the excess frenulum tissue to be removed with minimal stress to the surrounding oral structures, and the wound will be cauterized by the heat of the laser, which will minimize bleeding and the chances of infection. However, your child may need a local anesthetic if their frenulum is especially thick.

Is My Child Old Enough to Receive Lip or Tongue-Tie Treatment?

We understand that many patients will be anxious about their children receiving surgical procedures even if they are minor like frenectomies. Some children receive frenectomies several days after they are born, so there is virtually no minimum age for the treatment. Lip and tongue-ties do not usually resolve themselves on their own, so it’s best to schedule your child for the treatment as soon as possible if it is necessary. This will allow your child to feed more easily and set them up for a lifetime of better oral and overall health.

How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?

Frenectomies are remarkably simple procedures that typically take only several minutes, and performing the treatment with a surgical laser makes the process especially smooth and efficient. However, the treatment may take longer for patients with especially thick frenulums or who have both their lips and their tongues tied. We’ll be happy to help you understand how long your child’s procedure will take during your consultation at our Dublin office.