LIP & TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT
Better Mobility for a Higher Quality of Life
Tethered oral tissues (TOTS) are more commonly referred to as a lip or tongue-tie. They can affect babies, children, and even teenagers and adults, making eating, talking, and breathing increasingly difficult over time. At SmileTown: Just Kids Dentistry, our dentists are equipped to diagnose this type of problem as well as administer a beneficial solution, a frenectomy. Feel free to call our office to schedule an appointment if you have any questions about lip and tongue-tie treatment.
Why Choose SmileTown: Just Kids Dentistry for Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- We Welcome & Maximize Dental Insurance
- Dentists & Team That Prioritizes Safety & Comfort
- Exciting, Wild West-Themed Dental Offices
How Do Lip & Tongue-Ties Develop?
While a child is still in the womb, the frenulum, which is the band of tissue located behind the upper lip and underneath the tongue, usually loosens, allowing the tongue and lip to have a full range of motion. However, this is not always the case. Oftentimes, this tissue remains restricted, causing problems to form among infants, such as difficulty latching while breastfeeding or taking a bottle.
Why is it Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
Treating your child’s lip or tongue-tie is important because failing to do so can inhibit their ability to nurse or bottle-feed, speak clearly, eat solid foods, and breathe freely. It can also cause problems with their self-confidence as they grow older, as many children develop a gap between their two front upper teeth because of a lip-tie or struggle with a lisp because of a tongue-tie.
Signs & Symptoms of Lip & Tongue-Ties
There are different symptoms that can occur based on when your child begins to struggle with a lip or tongue-tie; however, the most common include:
- Difficulty breastfeeding because of their inability to form a secure latch
- Oral health problems that include cavities and gum disease as well as the potential need for orthodontics
- Inability to eat solid foods because the tongue cannot push the food toward the back of the mouth for consumption, which can lead to poor digestion
- Speech delay or impediment that causes them to struggle with various sounds
How Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment Works
If your child show signs of needing a frenectomy, and our dentists agree that treatment is required, we will prioritize their safety and comfort from beginning to end. Addressing a lip or tongue-tie can be accomplished by gently releasing the restricted tissue – a process that takes little time to complete. Taking care of this problem early on makes it easier for your little one to perform normal oral functions with greater ease.
Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQ
How can a tongue-tie or lip-tie affect my child’s oral health?
Restricted motion of the tongue and lips can affect your child’s oral and overall health by resulting in problems like difficulties with breastfeeding, pronouncing certain words, and maintaining good oral health. Lip and tongue-ties have also been connected to difficulty gaining weight in infancy and the development of sleep-breathing disorders.
Can a tongue or lip-tie affect my child’s speech development?
Yes, both tongue and lip-ties influence your child’s speech. A tongue-tie limits a person’s ability to move their tongue, which can in turn affect how certain sounds are pronounced. A lip-tie restricts the motion of the lips, which may interfere with the production of certain phonemes. Therefore, in order to maximize children’s speech development, it is important to determine whether these difficulties are a result of a lip or tongue-tie.
What is the recovery process after tongue or lip-tie treatment?
The recovery phase that follows the treatment of a tongue or lip-tie usually involves a few days of uneasiness. Certain exercises might also need to be performed by the parents to enable proper healing of the frenum. Follow-up visits are vital in assessing the healing process, as well as preventing the tissue from reattachment. Good dental care is also important in this phase to prevent oral infections while healing takes place.
Are there any risks or side effects of tongue or lip-tie treatment?
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and side effects connected to the treatment of tongue and lip-ties. These may include bleeding, infection, and scarring around the place of surgery. In addition, a few infants may also show signs of pain and difficulty breastfeeding after the procedure. You will have a consultation with the dentist to explain all possible risks and advantages.
Does insurance cover tongue and lip-tie treatment?
Insurance coverage for tongue and lip-tie treatment varies by provider and policy. Many insurance plans cover the procedure if it’s deemed medically necessary, often requiring a referral from a healthcare professional. It’s essential to check with your insurance company and discuss your specific situation with your provider to understand the coverage options for tongue and lip-tie treatments.