LIP & TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT FOR INFANTS & CHILDREN KATY
A Proven Solution for Nursing Struggles
If a mom is having trouble breastfeeding her baby, they always blame themselves first, which is heartbreaking because that’s often not the case! Lip and tongue ties are often the culprit behind nursing struggles, and Dr. Mehta is passionate about helping parents overcome them. She can diagnose children for these conditions and then treat them gently and quickly using a safe and effective laser treatment that only takes a matter of minutes. If you’re frustrated, we’re here to offer the sympathy and help you truly need in the form of lip and tongie-tie treatment in Katy. Call us to get help.
Why Choose Wellspring Pediatric Dentistry for Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Led by Award-Winning Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Experience Providing Fast & Effective Laser Frenectomies
- Partnered with Several Local Lactation Consultants
What Are Lip Ties & Tongue Ties?
Behind your upper lip and underneath your tongue, you’ll find two bands of tissue called frenulums (sometimes also referred to as frenums). For babies with lip and tongue tie, these tissues can be so short, thick, or immobile that they prevent these parts of the mouth from moving properly, which as you can imagine, can make nursing extremely difficult or even impossible.
The Lip & Tongue Treatment Process
If you can’t get your baby to latch, create a steady flow of milk, or feed within a reasonable amount of time (breastfeeding shouldn’t take hours or be painful), then you should bring your child in for a screening with Dr. Mehta. She will examine their mouth, and if they have a lip or tongue tie, she can perform a frenectomy to loosen or remove the offending tissue. This will free up your child’s mouth, and they should be able to feed immediately afterward without issue. If time allows, the frenectomy can often be performed at the same visit as the screening.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry for Frenectomies
In the past, frenectomies were performed using surgical scissors, which wasn’t exactly comfortable! Thankfully, laser treatment is not only extremely precise (which is essential when working with tiny mouths), but it also dramatically reduces post-treatment soreness and bleeding. Dr. Mehta can treat the smallest amount of tissue possible to get a great result while also cauterizing blood vessels. Most of the time, even babies don’t need anesthetic to remain relaxed during the procedure, which only takes about five minutes.
Learn More About LightScalpel Dental Laser
Airway-Focused Care Is Also Available
Did you know that the mouth is part of your child’s respiratory system? The shape and size of your child’s jaws constitute their upper airway, and if they are too small or narrow, this can lead to sleep-breathing issues like snoring and even sleep apnea. Dr. Mehta can spot the signs of airway issues based on your child’s behavior and dental anatomy, and she can offer solutions as well. A palatal expander and orthodontics can guide the growth of your child’s mouth to open up their airway, and myofunctional therapy can help retrain their oral muscles (this is often used to help a child transition from mostly mouth-breathing to nasal breathing).
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment FAQs
How should I prepare my baby for a frenectomy?
Fortunately, infants do not realize what is happening or form lasting memories of events. Therefore, even if they fuss a bit during their procedure, it will not cause lasting trauma. Still, our team does our best to provide a calm and relaxing environment for lip and tongue tie treatment.
You can also help by feeding your baby about 60 – 90 minutes before their frenectomy; they should be a bit hungry and ready to nurse afterward. We might also advise you to do a few exercises with your baby in the days before their appointment to help them practice creating suction with their tongue.
Does a frenectomy hurt?
Dr. Mehta uses a laser to perform frenectomies. This advanced technology instantly cauterizes the tissue, minimizes bleeding, and keeps discomfort to a bare minimum. Unless your child’s frenum is particularly thick, they might not even need local anesthesia for their procedure.
A bit of soreness is normal as patients recover. Our team will provide tips on how you can help your child enjoy a smooth post-op experience.
Is my child old enough to get a lip or tongue-tie procedure?
There is no real minimum age for treatment of tongue and lip tie. In fact, a frenectomy can be performed as soon as a few days after birth, as soon as your baby’s blood clotting mechanisms have reached acceptable levels.
Our team will screen your child to make sure they are a good candidate for a frenectomy before we move forward with treatment.
Remember, the earlier a frenectomy takes place, the less likely it is that the lip or tongue tie will cause complications later on.
How long does a frenectomy take?
A frenectomy is a fast procedure. In fact, it usually takes just a few minutes. Of course, the total appointment will stretch on for longer than that. You will need to arrive in time to take care of necessary paperwork, and we might administer local anesthesia, which takes a few minutes to go into effect. A particularly thick frenum could also extend the total appointment time.
Our team can speak with you before your child’s procedure so you understand the timeline and what you can expect throughout the appointment.
What could happen if my child doesn’t get treatment for a lip or tongue-tie?
Infants with an untreated lip or tongue tie may experience failure to thrive. They may not be able to take in sufficient nutrition, which can lead to poor weight gain. As they grow, they may continue to experience problems with eating. Speech difficulties, sleep apnea, poor dental health, and other complications could also arise.