Tongue Ties
A tongue-tie is a condition that restricts the range of movement of the tongue. This happens because the band of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (called the frenulum) is improperly formed. Sometimes, the tissue is too tight or too thick.
Children who have this condition may not be able to breastfeed normally. Older children with tongue-tie may experience difficulty speaking or eating, or may even have problems with their oral hygiene.
If your child has tongue-tie, the pediatric dentist in New Orleans, LA, can help. Tongue-tie can be addressed with an easy procedure that allows your child to use their tongue normally. At Uptown Pediatric Dentistry, we offer tongue-tie procedures to children to help them enjoy a good quality of life.
If you’re having trouble breastfeeding your baby, it’s important to get it resolved quickly. Breastfeeding is important for bonding and to help your child get good nutrition. If your child requires a tongue-tie procedure, get help fast. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Tongue-Tie Symptoms
If your child has tongue-tie, you may notice that they are unable to lift the tongue to the upper teeth or unable to move their tongue from side to side. Children with tongue-tie are unable to stick out their tongue.
- Breastfeeding problems: Babies with tongue-tie are unable to position their tongue for successful breastfeeding. Their tongue may have a limited range of motion, leaving them unable to latch or suck properly. They may chew on the nipple (instead of sucking). This is very painful for the mother and may also lead to inadequate nutrition for the baby. Watch for problems like a poor latch, smacking noises when breastfeeding, frustration when eating, extra-long nursing sessions, milk dribbling out of the mouth, insufficient weight gain, inability to suck a pacifier, and frequent fussiness.
- Poor oral hygiene: Children with tongue-tie may struggle to remove food debris from their mouth using their tongue. This can lead to poor oral hygiene.
- Speech problems: Children with tongue-tie may have difficulty making certain sounds when speaking.
- Inability to use the tongue in the normal way: Older children who have tongue-tie may struggle to play certain instruments. They may also struggle to lick ice cream cones and lollipops.
How is Tongue-Tie Diagnosed?
Tongue-tie is diagnosed during a routine exam. Your child’s dentist can use a screening tool to score your child’s tongue. This will help them determine whether your child’s tongue can move properly.
What Causes Tongue-Tie?
No one is quite sure why some children have tongue-tie, although it’s believed that genetics can play a role. Tongue-tie often runs in families and is more commonly experienced by boys than girls.
How Is Tongue-Tie Treated?
Tongue-tie is treated in different ways. Mild cases improve on their own as the frenulum loosens with time. Your dental professional can treat severe tongue-tie with a quick surgical procedure that releases the extra tissue to give your child’s tongue improved range of motion.
This procedure is called a frenectomy. During the frenectomy, the dentist uses sterile instruments to snip the frenulum. Discomfort is short-lived because there are few nerve endings in this part of the mouth. Breastfeeding can begin immediately after the procedure is completed. Complications for this procedure are rare.
What to Expect During Tongue-Tie Treatment
Before Treatment
Before tongue-tie treatment, patients are evaluated for potential tongue-tie. If your child is older, one way to determine whether they have tongue-tie is to ask them to lick an ice cream cone or a lollipop. If your child is unable to do this, we may recommend a frenectomy.
Before the treatment begins, we’ll explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. If your child is old enough to ask questions, we’ll answer their questions as well!
Parents are welcome to wait outside during the treatment or stay in the room. We’ll apply numbing cream to the area to help ensure your child will be comfortable.
During Treatment
During the treatment, the dental professional will use a special tool to remove frenulum tissue. Often, there is little bleeding, and in most cases, stitches are not necessary.
After Treatment
After the treatment occurs, your child will be allowed to nurse or eat immediately. If your child has discomfort, it may stop quickly. Younger children often see discomfort disappear after 24 hours, while older children may notice that it is gone after 48 hours. Babies often experience natural pain relief from breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact.
To help with pain, the dentist may recommend over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen. Speak with your dental professional to find out which (if any) medications are safe for your child or baby. Always check for an appropriate dosage, as young children may not be able to take some medications.
The frenulum may take a few weeks to heal all the way. During this time, you may notice that the frenulum is white or yellowish. This is natural, but if you’re worried about your child, don’t hesitate to contact their dental professional or doctor.
For older children, the dental professional may recommend stretching exercises to prevent the frenulum from reattaching. If this is the case, be sure to follow the dentist’s recommended exercise schedule.
Why Choose Us for Tongue-Tie?
Tongue-tie can be an upsetting condition. If your child has tongue-tie, a diagnosis can help improve your child’s quality of life in many ways. Patients choose Uptown Pediatric Dentistry because our kind, courteous staff have years of experience helping children and performing tongue-tie procedures.
- Professional, compassionate staff
- Modern dental facilities
- Easy scheduling
Contact Us for Tongue-Tie
Does your child need help with tongue-tie? This condition can impact everything from breastfeeding to oral hygiene. It’s important to get help! Speak with your child’s pediatric dentist in New Orleans, LA. Our dental professionals offer effective tongue-tie procedures that can help your child’s tongue function normally.
