Tongue & Lip Tie Release in Valencia

Sometimes there’s more to a tongue-tie than just tripping over your words! If not treated and addressed early on, a tongue or lip-tie can lead to developmental issues, not to mention it can hinder breastfeeding and cause frustration for a mother who wants to bond with her infant. This year, Dr. Justin will be introducing state-of-the-art laser dentistry to release lip and tongue-ties in our office and help give your child a more comfortable smile!

What Is a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

A tongue-tie is a term used to describe when there is too much tension cause by a frenum – a small strip of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and separately the upper lip to the upper jaw. This limits mobility of both tongue and the lip. This tension limits the child’s ability to develop behaviorally and physically, but we’re able to fix this issue using a quick procedure called a “frenectomy”.

When Is Tongue or Lip-Tie Treatment Necessary?

Treatment for a tongue or lip-tie is necessary when your child’s development begins to be impacted. This may not be noticeable right away for some, but when it is coming to see us is of the utmost importance.

Issues that may indicate your baby has a tongue or lip tie include:

• Hard time breastfeeding or taking a baby bottle (reflux or colic, difficulties with taking a bottle (like clicking noises)
• Leaking milk from the mouth while eating
• The baby makes clicking or smacking noises when eating
• Your baby has slow or poor weight gain compared to other babies their age
• Impaired speech
• Sleep disturbances/grinding teeth at night

Does My Child Have a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

Tongue or lip-ties may seem like it would be a simple thing to spot, but in truth often they don’t get recognized until later in life because of subsequent issues. If your child is having difficulty nursing and you wish to breastfeed, it would benefit you to check if your baby has a tongue and/or lip tie preventing successful suckling.

What Are the Benefits of In-Office Laser Frenectomies?

Utilizing a laser allows Dr. Justin the ability to treat tongue and lip-ties quickly and safely in the office. This means that a young child does not need to be sedated, and we can expect faster healing utilizing a laser in comparison to traditional surgical methods.

Your child’s lip-tie or tongue-tie can impact their life for years to come. At SCV Pediatric Dentistry, we can release that tension in a safe and non-invasive way, improving you, or your child's life in years to come.

Contact us at (661) 215-6655 to schedule an appointment today!