LIP & TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT FOR INFANTS & CHILDREN – KATY, TX
A Proven Solution for Nursing Struggles
If a mom is having trouble breastfeeding her baby, they always blame themselves first, which is heartbreaking because that’s often not the case! Lip and tongue ties are often the culprit behind nursing struggles, and Dr. Mehta is passionate about helping parents overcome them. She can diagnose children for these conditions and then treat them gently and quickly using a safe and effective laser treatment that only takes a matter of minutes. If you’re frustrated, we’re here to offer the sympathy and help you truly need. Call us to get help.
Why Choose Wellspring Pediatric Dentistry for Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Led by Award-Winning Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Experience Providing Fast & Effective Laser Frenectomies
- Partnered with Several Local Lactation Consultants
What are Lip Ties & Tongue Ties?
Behind your upper lip and underneath your tongue, you’ll find two bands of tissue called frenulums (sometimes also referred to as frenums). For babies with lip and tongue tie, these tissues can be so short, thick, or immobile that they prevent these parts of the mouth from moving properly, which as you can imagine, can make nursing extremely difficult or even impossible.
The Lip & Tongue Treatment Process
If you can’t get your baby to latch, create a steady flow of milk, or feed within a reasonable amount of time (breastfeeding shouldn’t take hours or be painful), then you should bring your child in for a screening with Dr. Mehta. She will examine their mouth, and if they have a lip or tongue tie, she can perform a frenectomy to loosen or remove the offending tissue. This will free up your child’s mouth, and they should be able to feed immediately afterward without issue. If time allows, the frenectomy can often be performed at the same visit as the screening.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry for Frenectomies
In the past, frenectomies were performed using surgical scissors, which wasn’t exactly comfortable! Thankfully, laser treatment is not only extremely precise (which is essential when working with tiny mouths), but it also dramatically reduces post-treatment soreness and bleeding. Dr. Mehta can treat the smallest amount of tissue possible to get a great result while also cauterizing blood vessels. Most of the time, even babies don’t need anesthetic to remain relaxed during the procedure, which only takes about five minutes.
Airway-Focused Care is Also Available
Did you know that the mouth is part of your child’s respiratory system? The shape and size of your child’s jaws constitute their upper airway, and if they are too small or narrow, this can lead to sleep-breathing issues like snoring and even sleep apnea. Dr. Mehta can spot the signs of airway issues based on your child’s behavior and dental anatomy, and she can offer solutions as well. A palatal expander and orthodontics can guide the growth of your child’s mouth to open up their airway, and myofunctional therapy can help retrain their oral muscles (this is often used to help a child transition from mostly mouth-breathing to nasal breathing).