Tongue or Lip-tie? Unlock Your Child’s Oral Health with Frenectomy
Although minor lip and tongue ties can affect your child’s feeding and cause significant speech and orthodontic issues in older children. At Red Rock Dental, Drs. Parisa Safaei and Michele Crohin offer frenectomy, a simple surgical procedure to treat tongue or lip ties. If you are in Swampscott, Massachusetts, visit our office and discover how this procedure can improve your child’s oral health.
What is a tongue or lip tie?
Lip and tongue ties develop at birth. They form when the connective tissue (frenulum) that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the upper lip to the gum is too thick, tight, or short. This restricts natural movement, interfering with breastfeeding, speech, swallowing, and oral development.
Some ties may be mild and cause no issues. However, others can significantly affect a child’s ability to feed or speak and may require a simple procedure known as a frenectomy to release the restrictive tissue and restore proper mobility. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to healthier development and improved quality of life for both children and parents.
How do I know my child has a lip or tongue-tie?
While only a doctor can diagnose a lip/tongue tie, watch out for specific symptoms in infants.
These include:
- Poor latch when breastfeeding
- Milk is leaking from the sides when feeding
- Fussiness, colic, or gassiness
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Frequent nursing or short feeding sessions
- Clicking or smacking sounds while feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Blistered or painful nipples for the nursing mother
If the diagnosis is missed during infancy or treatment is ignored, a lip or tongue tie won’t resolve itself. These issues can cause symptoms throughout childhood and even adulthood. Untreated lip or tongue ties cause speech impediment, mouth breathing, and eating problems. Besides, they can increase the risk of dental misalignment and sleep-disordered breathing problems like sleep apnea.
What can I expect during a frenectomy procedure?
A frenectomy might sound like a big word, but the procedure itself is quick, painless, and minimally invasive. The procedure aims to “release” the restrictive frenulum to restore lip or tongue mobility.
We begin by keeping your child completely comfortable with a numbing gel or local anesthetics. Traditionally, frenectomies are administered with a scalpel or scissors. However, our office uses a dental laser to nip the connective tissue (frenulum). Unlike traditional tools, lasers minimize pain and bleeding. Additionally, we complete the procedure in just a few minutes, and no stitches are typically needed.
What can I expect after a frenectomy?
Most children experience minimal discomfort after the procedure. In fact, babies often feed better immediately after! Our team will recommend light stretching exercises to encourage full healing and prevent reattachment.
Do you need a frenectomy near Swampscott, MA?
A frenectomy is a life-changing procedure, especially for children with lip or tongue ties. Better feeding. Clearer speech. Easier breathing. And a more confident smile. Whether it’s for a baby, child, or even an adult, a frenectomy is a small step that can unlock significant improvements in everyday life.
Do you need a frenectomy? Call (781) 590-3606 and schedule an appointment with Red Rock Dental. Our office serves patients from several locations, including Swampscott, Lynn, Salem, Marblehead, Peabody, Saugus, Beverly, Revere, Winthrop, and East Boston, MA.
