At Children’s Dental Specialties, we treat tongue and lip tie in Worcester, MA. These treatments are part of our pediatric dentistry services.
Tongue and lip ties show themselves in infants. The lingual frenum is connective tissue or fascia located under the tongue. You can see it if you lift your tongue. It acts as an anchor and stabilizer for the tongue. It can help children nurse, eat, swallow, speak, breathe, and sleep.
Your infant also has two labial frenums, one on the lower lip and a more pronounced one on the upper lip. If you pull your lip away from your gum tissue, you can see the band of tissue that connects the lips to the gums. Labial frenums are often more pronounced in younger children. These tissues help stabilize the upper and lower lips.
What Are Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie?
Tongue and lip-tie occur when an abnormally short or tight lingual or labial frenum restricts the tongue or lips. Tongue-tie and lip-tie can cause many problems for our infant patients if they restrict lip and tongue function. They
include:
- Problems breastfeeding, nursing, or eating solid foods.
- Speech delay or articulation issues.
- Mouth breathing or noisy breathing.
- Sleep disorders.
A short lingual frenum inhibits tongue movement which makes it difficult for children to speak clearly, chew, and swallow. Tongue ties can also lead to sleep disorders in some children as tongue function is impaired.
Learn More About Tongue and Lip-Tie
BabyLase for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
We sometimes recommend non-surgical treatment for infants and toddlers to release the lips or tongue. Also known as BabyLase, laser treatment for tongue-tie and lip-tie helps to release muscle tension associated with ties. It can also increase frenum mobility. Frenectomy treatments that use dental lasers come with many advantages:
- Less bleeding
- Minimal post-operative inflammation
- Less post-operative pain
- Quicker healing and recovery
We want to make your child comfortable and reduce dental anxiety. At Children’s Dental Specialties, we know the best way to do this is to make every visit to the dental office as pleasant as possible.
That’s why we use minimally invasive procedures and modern technology. Dental advancements make every dental procedure, like an infant frenectomy, more comfortable.
Our dentist will perform a functional assessment to determine whether or not your child will require a frenectomy to address tongue and lip ties. Read about our non-surgical revision below.
Learn More About BabyLase
Lip and Tongue Tie FAQs
Learn more about tongue and lip ties in Worcester, MA, with answers to these common questions:
What are the symptoms of a lip or tongue tie?
When there is a restrictive tissue connection in a child’s mouth, it can express itself in many different ways. Our dentist can identify minor cases of a tie when they examine your child’s mouth at routine dental visits. But other symptoms could also point to a tongue or lip tie. The most common symptoms of lip and tongue ties include:
- Difficulty breastfeeding
- Pain when nursing
- Clicking sounds while feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Fussy or colicky behavior
- Excessive gassiness
- Reflux or vomiting
- Speech development issues
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, see a specialist as soon as possible.
Can folic acid during pregnancy lead to a tongue tie?
It used to be assumed that high levels of folic acid could cause developmental problems like a tongue tie. But there’s no conclusive evidence to suggest this as true. Folic acid is often recommended during pregnancy to help prevent conditions that could affect a mother’s health. Research is ongoing to determine the exact cause of a lip or tongue tie, but the most likely reason is genetics.
What’s the best method for fixing a tie?
In the past, methods of fixing tongue or lip ties were ineffective and sometimes dangerous. Simply “snipping or clipping” the tissue with a blade or scissors tends to cause more damage or even the return of the tie.
At Children’s Dental Specialties, we use advanced laser technology that is safe for children and babies. It can also promote faster healing and better results.
Can a tongue or lip tie come back?
Yes, sometimes a tongue or lip tie can return after treatment. This usually happens if the first procedure didn’t fully remove the tie or if the healing process doesn’t go as planned. When the area heals, the tissue naturally tries to grow back where it was before. If too much tissue remains or if it doesn’t heal properly, the tie might reattach.
That’s why we use laser technology for tongue and lip tie releases. The laser completely removes the tissue, which makes it much less likely for the tie to come back.
Proper aftercare is also important. You can guide your child through gentle exercises to move their tongue or lips. This helps the area heal correctly and strengthens the muscles.
While some kids might feel a little discomfort as they heal, laser treatment helps keep pain to a minimum. Following these steps gives your child the best chance for a successful and long-lasting result.
Can a tongue or lip tie fix itself?
Unfortunately, you can’t grow out of tongue and lip ties or fix them with at-home remedies. The only way a tie will release is if the tissue is released. Some children who experience physical trauma to the mouth (like from falling off a bicycle) may have the tissue tear.
But this can cause the tie to reform and even become more restrictive. We recommend that you have a professional treat a tongue or lip tie as soon as possible.
Is the frenectomy painful?
No, a frenectomy in our Worcester, MA office is not painful for children. We’ll numb the area beforehand so your child won’t feel pain.
The procedure is quick and only takes a few minutes. Afterward, some children might feel mild discomfort or soreness in the area. We recommend that you give your child over-the-counter pain relievers and follow our dentist’s recommendations.
Can adults get lip and tongue ties?
A tongue or lip tie will not develop suddenly as you age. But many adults suffer from undiagnosed tongue and lip ties. Most older patients with tongue or lip ties struggle when they speak or eat. Many will also often feel pain in their neck and facial muscles. Early treatment can help promote good oral development while they grow up.
What is the cost of a frenectomy?
Because every patient is different, there’s no way to tell the cost of treatment without an examination. At Children’s Dental Specialties, we want your child to get the care they need for proper oral health.
Some dental insurance companies provide partial coverage for the treatment. You can also get interest-free or low-interest financing through third-party lenders like Care Credit. We will provide you with a treatment plan after your exam to help you determine the cost.
Contact Our Worcester Dental Office
Does your child have trouble when they nurse or eat? Get tongue and lip tie treatment with a frenectomy in Worcester, MA. Call Children’s Dental Specialties for comfortable laser treatment today at (508) 625-5534. Our pediatric team can expertly assess your child’s case and see if laser treatment can help.
Let us you have questions about tongue and lip ties. We’ll be happy to help you.