When your baby has a lip or tongue tie, it can make everyday activities like nursing a challenge. Worse yet, as time goes on it can create a variety of problems including speech issues. But do these conditions ever go away? Here’s what you need to know about why it’s so important to treat lip and tongue ties in children.
What is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is a condition where the tissue connecting your child’s tongue to the floor of their mouth restricts its movement. Warning signs of lip tie include trouble latching during breastfeeding, fatigue during feeding, slow weight gain, and breathing difficulties while nursing.
What Is a Lip Tie?
A lip tie is a condition that occurs when the piece of tissue that connects your child’s upper lip to their gums is too short or thick. This can create problems eating and even affect their appearance.
Do Lip and Tongue Ties Go Away?
As a parent, of course you don’t want your child to undergo any treatments that aren’t necessary, so naturally you may be curious if a lip or tongue tie will eventually go away on its own. But the truth is, these conditions will not improve with time, and in many cases, they may cause more serious problems for your child in the future. The best way to care for them is a procedure called a frenectomy. This treatment is best when done before the age of 12 months so your child will not need anesthesia or sedation, however it is still very helpful (and recommended) for children over one year.
The entire treatment takes under a minute to complete and typically only requires a topical anesthetic. Your dentist will use a soft tissue laser to cut the tissue and free the movement of your child’s lip or tongue. The laser cauterizes the tissue as it cuts, prevents bleeding, and keeps it sterile, thereby reducing the risk of infection. The total healing time for a frenectomy is about one to two weeks, and your child should be able to nurse and vocalize freely as soon as the procedure is over.
Remember, if your baby has a lip tie or tongue tie, they will not simply clear up with time. To ensure your child is able to eat and speak properly for a lifetime, speak to your dentist about a laser frenectomy today.
About Our Practice
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, our board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Sage and Dr. Justin understand how important it is to correct lip and tongue ties early on, so they don’t struggle to thrive as they grow. Don’t let these be the ‘ties that bind’ your child to a lifetime of unnecessary struggles with feeding and speech. Schedule a consultation for a frenectomy today by visiting our website or calling us at 469-301-3212.