Some children are born with excessive tissue that restricts the movement of the tongue or lips, which can lead to difficulties feeding and speaking and may set a kid up for a variety of health and quality-of-life issues. Thankfully, your pediatric dentist is trained and equipped to address this issue in a painless and sanitary manner that can help a child remain healthy and live comfortably. Here’s a quick look at what lip and tongue-ties are and why it’s probably necessary to have your family’s dentist resolve them.
What Are Lip and Tongue-Ties?
The frenulum is the band of tissues that helps connect the lip to the jaw or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The frenulums of some children are especially thick, which can make it difficult for the lips or the tongue to move normally during feeding or speaking. Your child may have a lip or tongue-tie if they exhibit symptoms like:
- Difficulty attaching or drawing milk when breastfeeding
- Discomfort when breastfeeding
- Poor weight gain
- Noisy breathing or snoring
- Gagging, coughing, or choking while feeding
- Frequent nasal congestion
Will a Lip or Tongue-Tie Resolve Itself?
In previous decades, some doctors recommended leaving lip and tongue-ties untreated because they thought children with these conditions would simply rip their frenulums loose at some point in their development. However, this does not always happen and may lead to potentially serious injuries or infections if it does. To ensure your child’s comfort and keep them healthy, it’s typically best to have a lip or tongue-tie resolved by a pediatric dentist.
How Can My Family’s Pediatric Dentist Resolve a Lip or Tongue-Tie?
Usually, a pediatric dentist can resolve a lip or tongue-tie with a minimally invasive procedure that typically only takes a few minutes. This treatment involves the dentist removing the excess tissue that restricts the movement of the frenulum, and the process is often painless even without anesthesia. Your family’s oral health provider will also be happy to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions that will help your child enjoy a smooth and complication-free recovery.
Don’t let a lip or tongue-tie cause you and your child discomfort. Consulting with your child’s dentist can help you understand the best ways to maintain their oral and overall health.
About the Practice
Coral Kids Dentistry and Braces offers the finest pediatric oral healthcare in Hamilton. Led by Drs. Michael Rullo, Shameel Khan, and Jonathan Campbell, the staff treats each patient with compassion and respect while maintaining a kid-friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and emergency dentistry for children as well as lip and tongue-tie treatments. If you are concerned that your child may have a lip or tongue-tie, contact the office online or dial (905) 581-7966.