Waking up for feedings in the middle of the night, napping during the day, wearing diapers, eating mashed foods—these are all things that babies eventually outgrow. As they develop, they learn coordination, control, and skills to function better in the world. So, when a friend suggests that your baby who has a hard time breastfeeding and thriving might have a tongue-tie, you wonder whether this issue is something else that will go away on its own. When it comes to a lip or tongue-tie, don’t try to postpone treatment! Keep reading to learn more about this problem and why it needs to be addressed sooner than later.
When and How Do Lip and Tongue-Ties Form?
While a fetus is in utero, the mother can do many things to help the baby grow and be healthy, but there are many things outside her control. For instance, as the fetus develops, a tiny piece of tissue connects the tongue and upper lip to the inside of the mouth. Typically, this tissue is resorbed before birth, allowing the tongue and lips to function more freely. In some babies, however, this tissue, called a frenulum, stays and restricts flexibility and motion of the tongue or lips.
Do Lip and Tongue-Ties Go Away without Treatment?
Although your baby has decades of growth ahead of them, some things don’t naturally disappear once they are born. Unfortunately, a lip or tongue-tie doesn’t diminish or fade away with time and development. In fact, if this issue isn’t treated, it can continue to interfere with your child’s quality of life well into adulthood with conditions like sleep apnea, speech impediments, and eating and nutritional issues becoming serious concerns.
What Is the Process of Getting a Frenectomy for My Baby or Child?
If you think your baby or child has a lip or tongue-tie, the sooner you have them examined and treated, the better! Take them to a pediatric dentist who can identify whether their oral function is impaired and carry out a frenectomy, the procedure to remove the limiting tissue.
During the procedure, the pediatric dentist will apply a topical anesthetic to the tissue, numbing the area. Using an appropriate surgical tool, they will then separate the tissue, releasing the tongue’s range of motion. In all, this treatment takes only about 15 minutes and requires relatively minimal aftercare. You’ll need to keep the area clean as your baby heals to prevent an infection.
At some point, your baby will no longer wake you up consistently at night. Eventually, they will learn to walk more steadily. Their tongue-tie, however, is here to stay unless you treat it. Even if you catch a lip or tongue-tie when your child is older, it’s always a good idea to resolve it as soon as you can. Improved oral function can help your baby or child have a healthier future and thrive more easily.
About the Practice
In Denver, CO, Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry offers a uniquely inviting environment for kids to begin their dental health journey. Board-certified pediatric dentists Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack have dedicated their careers to patients from birth to age 18. As parents, they also have personal experience with little ones and can perform frenectomies. To schedule an appointment at our office, contact us online or call us at 720-647-6310.