Correcting Tongue and Lip Tie with a Soft-Tissue Laser

Some children are born with a very small amount of soft tissue that prevents the child from engaging in certain everyday activities. This problem can be corrected with a quick, easy soft-tissue laser surgery.

The lingual frenulum is the thin strip of tissue that can be found underneath your tongue. This soft tissue essentially attaches the very bottom of your tongue to the floor of the mouth. In order to properly engage in certain activities, such as eating, drinking, and speaking, the tongue and lips need to be able to freely move around.

Correcting Problems with Lip or Tongue Tie Surgery

Lip or tongue tie surgery is designed to clip the small amount of soft tissue that is preventing the tongue or lips from moving freely. This surgical procedure, which uses a soft-tissue laser, is the preferred method of treatment for lip and tongue ties because it can be done in the comfort of a pediatric dental office.

No anesthesia is required for this type of surgery. Instead, a pediatric dentist will administer a small amount of local anesthetic to the tongue or lip area. The local anesthetic will numb the area and prevent your child from experiencing any pain.

Once the area is properly numbed, your pediatric dentist will use a soft-tissue laser to neatly cut the excess tissue that is holding the tongue in place.

No Stitches or Bleeding is Involved

Mos pediatric dentists prefer soft-tissue surgery to other treatment options for lip or tongue tie is because it doesn’t require stitches. There is also little bleeding involved after the procedure.

Stitches are not used because the laser neatly and precisely cuts the soft tissue. Making such a small incision eliminates the need for stitches. The small incision also prevents any excessive bleeding from occurring during the procedure.

Preventing Future Problems by Choosing to Undergo Lip Tie or Tongue Tie Surgery

Having your child undergo lip tie or tongue tie surgery can help prevent them from experiencing a number of problems with their oral health and speech.

Some of the problems that are corrected with this type of surgery include:

• Inability to get proper nutrition due to not being able to breastfeed properly
• Pain and discomfort that occurs when breastfeeding
• Difficulty with making the proper sounds of certain words and letters
• Difficulty removing plaque and food particles from around the gum line
• Challenges with eating or enjoying certain activities such as playing instruments, eating ice cream, or licking lips

Lip and Tongue Tie Release Surgery is Relatively Painless

Lip tie and tongue tie surgery are not completely pain-free. Slight pain and discomfort can follow the completion of this type of surgery. Luckily, the pain and discomfort only last 24 to 48 hours.

If your child does experience any pain or discomfort from surgery, some ways to relieve pain include:

• Applying a cold compress to the mouth area
• Providing your child with cool – not extremely cold – drinks or foods
• Breastfeeding – breastfeeding provides a natural sense of comfort to the child that helps reduce any pain and discomfort
• Giving your child over-the-counter pain relievers – speak with your doctor or pediatric dentist before giving your child any medications

If you notice your child is experiencing pain or discomfort when eating or speaking, you may want to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist to discuss lip or tongue tie surgery. A pediatric dentist can conduct a quick oral examination and determine if a lip or tongue tie is causing the problems.

Call Dr. Maggie Davis to Discuss Your Child’s Options

Looking for a pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor? Dr. Davis is an experienced pediatric dentist who can help you discuss your child’s options with soft tissue laser treatment for tongue and lip tie. Contact Dr. Maggie Davis today to see if your child could benefit from our services!

Not sure if your child is suffering from tongue and lip tie?

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