Tongue-Ties Southampton
Why an Overly Restricted Tongue Is a Problem
A person with a tongue-tie is unable to move their tongue properly. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, and it can lead to several problems later in life. At Philadelphia Tongue and Lip Tie Center, we can help our patients put their tongue-ties behind them for good, thus improving their lives in a variety of ways. The information on this page can give you a clearer idea of what having a tongue-tie means; don’t hesitate to call us if someone in your family needs help overcoming a tongue-tie in Southampton.
Why Choose Philadelphia Tongue and Lip Tie Center for Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Frenectomies Performed with Gentle Laser
- Trusted Dentist and Team
- Children and Adults Both Welcome
What Is a Tongue-Tie?
There is a band of tissue beneath the tongue known as the frenulum. Under normal circumstances, the frenulum supports the tongue. However, sometimes the frenulum may be shorter than it’s supposed to be, resulting in a condition known as tongue-tie. This prevents the tongue from being able to move as freely as it should. It’s not entirely clear what causes tongue-tie to occur, but it appears to be more common in males.
What Are the Signs of a Tongue-Tie?
The first sign of a tongue-tie often appears during infancy; babies with the condition often have significant trouble with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. As time passes, a tongue-tie can lead to additional issues. For example, it can cause certain people to speak with a lisp. Some children with tongue-ties start breathing through their mouths. And of course, limited tongue movement can make certain activities – such as playing wind instruments – more difficult than they would normally be.
What Should You Do About a Tongue-Tie?
Does someone in your family have a tongue-tie? If so, you should get in touch with our team as soon as possible. We can take a look at the mouth to confirm that a tongue-tie is present and check how severe it is. Once the problem has been diagnosed, it should be treated promptly. Our team can perform a laser frenectomy to remove the unneeded tissue to improve the mobility of the tongue.
The Benefits of Treating a Tongue-Tie
It will be easier to successfully feed your infant once their tongue-tie has been taken care of, and you can expect their eventual transition to eating more solid foods to be a lot smoother. Meanwhile, treating tongue-ties in older patients typically improves their ability to speak clearly, and it can help relieve any discomfort that may have been associated with the condition. In short, treating a tongue-tie often leads to a significant improvement in many aspects of the patient’s life.
Tongue-Tie FAQs
How Should I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?
Your baby is unlikely to have anxiety before a trip to the dentist in the way that an older child might, but it’s still a good idea to do what you can to keep them calm and avoid adding any excess stress to the procedure. This means staying calm yourself, as your baby will take cues from you regarding how to feel. It’s also a good idea to feed the baby 60-90 minutes before the procedure so that they’re ready to feed by the time it’s complete.
You may also want to help your child practice suction for a few days before the treatment. You can allow them to suck on a clean finger and then gently pull it away, forcing them to work harder to keep the finger in their mouth.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
At our practice, we make use of soft tissue lasers for our frenectomies, which means that the wound will close almost immediately after the procedure. This being the case, treating your child’s tongue tie will involve virtually discomfort.
In fact, anesthetic is usually unnecessary for these procedures. That said, if you specifically request it or if the frenulum is especially thick, we’ll be happy to numb your child’s mouth beforehand.
Is My Child Old Enough to Get Tongue-Tie Treatment?
Most parents are made nervous by their child undergoing any kind of procedure, especially if they’re very young. However, tongue tie treatment is incredibly safe, present virtually no risk to the patient. It can safely be performed on kids as soon as a few days after their birth.
Moreover, tongue ties do not resolve themselves on their own. That being the case, there’s no reason to delay treatment if you think that your child is dealing with this condition.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?
When completed using a soft tissue laser, frenectomies can be done incredibly quickly. Depending on the nature of your child’s tongue tie, the entire thing is done in a handful of minutes. If the frenulum is especially thick, or if there are other confounding issues, the procedure may potentially take a little bit longer.
We’ll be able to tell you more about what you should expect from the treatment when we meet you and your child in person!