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Tongue & lip ties
What are tongue ties and lip ties?
In 4-10% of children, the frenum that guides mouth development doesn’t recede and thin by birth. This tight tissue can leave the tongue or lip connected in a way that limits their use. WHen this happens, it is called a tongue tie or lip tie.
Having a tongue tie or lip tie can lead to difficulty with nursing, feeding, or speaking. Luckily, there is a quick fix at our clinic!
How can I tell if my baby has a tongue tie or lip tie?
Some signs that your baby may have a tongue or lip tie include:
- Difficulty or inability to latch
- Prolonged or frequent feeding
- Baby unsatisfied despite long feeding
- Baby falling asleep on the breast
- Baby gums or bites instead of sucking
- Poor weight gain
- Inability to use a pacifier
- Colic or reflux symptoms
If you think your child has a tongue tie or lip tie, don’t worry. We can easily treat both issues with a laser frenectomy.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is the procedure used to correct a tongue tie or lip tie. It can be done surgically, but at KIND SMILES we use a laser because it is minimally invasive and has a faster healing time.
How does a laser frenectomy work?
With the latest developments in laser dentistry, frenectomies can easily be performed with lasers. The procedure creates minimal (or no) discomfort and doesn't require anesthesia or sedation. It is a simple process that only takes a few minutes!
If we are treating older children who understand the procedure, we can give them a mild numbing cream and some laughing gas to ease them through it as needed. We usually only need the topical numbing cream for infants.
Our laser will gently remove the tight tissue in your child’s tongue or lip with virtually no bleeding or discomfort, and no stitches required!
Reach out for help
If you think your child is suffering from a tongue or lip tie, book an assessment with our team to see if a frenectomy could help.
