Tongue Ties
Does your baby seem to have problems moving their tongue around? Is it making it hard for them to feed? A tongue tie could be the cause. This happens when the tissue that joins the tongue to the floor of your child’s mouth is too restrictive.
This condition can cause issues with feeding, speech, and other areas of your child’s life. But we can correct this if needed with treatment for tongue ties in Hackensack, NJ. At State Street Smiles, our dentists perform frenectomy procedures in children and adults for medical or cosmetic purposes.
What happens during this kind of procedure? How do you know if your child needs tongue tie treatment? We’ll go over this condition below, including what causes it, what issues it may cause — and why treatment is important!
What Are Signs of a Tongue Tie?
How can you tell if your baby has this condition? Your child’s doctor might notice it during exams. But you can also watch for possible signs in your baby’s behavior, such as:
- Trouble raising their tongue
- Inability to stick their tongue out past their bottom front teeth
- Difficulty moving their tongue from one side of their mouth to the other
- Trouble with breastfeeding due to restricted tongue movements
This condition can also cause the tongue to have a heart shape or a notched look.
What Causes It?
In most infants, the connective tissue that joins the tongue to the floor of the mouth separates before they’re born. When this doesn’t happen, a tongue tie occurs. The exact cause of this condition isn’t known. But it may be linked to genetics. Having tongue ties run in the family and being a boy are potential risk factors.
What Problems Can a Tongue Tie Cause?
This condition may not always cause problems. But in some cases, it can end up causing complications, such as the following:
- Issues with breastfeeding, including pain for the mother and trouble feeding for the baby
- Problems with speech, such as trouble pronouncing “d” and other sounds
- Problems with dental alignment in older kids and adults
- Higher risk of gum inflammation and tooth decay in older kids and adults
- Increased risk of developing a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea
Even if it doesn’t cause issues, some individuals choose to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons when they’re adults.
How Do Dentists Treat Tongue Ties?
Treating this condition involves a procedure called a frenectomy. Our dentists carefully modify or cut the connective tissue, allowing the tongue to move around more easily. It’s a simple and quick procedure that’s considered safe for babies. Sometimes, older kids or even adults may have this treatment done.
This procedure allows babies to breastfeed without issues, ensuring proper nutrition that’s important for growth. It can also help correct speech issues in older kids and adults. Some adults might opt to have this done if a tongue tie affects their appearance.
What to Expect from a Frenectomy
We may use an anesthetic to numb the area before this procedure in older kids and adults. This treatment can be done using simple instruments, such as scissors, or lasers to remove or cut the connective tissue. This releases the tongue, giving it a normal range of motion.
A frenectomy is generally a quick procedure, though this depends on how it’s done and whether or not there are any complexities involved. Our dental team can provide you with more details on what to expect if you’re seeking this treatment for your infant, your older child, or yourself.
When to See Our Dentists for a Tongue Tie
Your child might not need treatment for this condition. But if it’s affecting their ability to eat or causing other problems, we do recommend seeking care. If you’re an adult with a tongue tie or if you have an older child with this condition, you may want to seek treatment if it’s affecting speech or causing other difficulties.
FAQs About Tongue Ties
The following are some questions you might have about tongue ties. Our dental team at State Street Smiles can also answer other questions you have about treating this condition.
What is the recovery process like after tongue tie treatment?
Recovering from this procedure doesn’t usually take long. In fact, babies are typically able to breastfeed right away after having it done. Note that swelling and soreness can occur for a few days. We may show you stretching exercises to do with your infant to prevent the connective tissue from becoming attached again.
What happens if a tongue tie is left untreated?
It might not cause any issues. But it can lead to problems with speaking, oral health and alignment issues, and other complications in some cases. If babies can’t feed due to a tongue tie, this can affect their ability to grow and thrive.
How do I know if my child has a tongue tie?
Your child should be able to move their tongue around without any problems, including side to side, up and down, and out past their teeth. If they can’t do this — or if you notice other signs — give us a call to set up a consultation and treatment.
Can a tongue tie affect my child’s sleep or feeding?
Yes, this condition may raise your child’s risk of having sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to stop breathing while they’re asleep. This sleep disorder can increase the risk of developing other health issues. A tongue tie might also interfere with breastfeeding, making it difficult for babies to get the nourishment they need. It can also cause problems for mothers, such as soreness as babies chew instead of feeding.
Is a frenectomy safe for babies?
Yes, this procedure can be done safely in babies, older kids, and adults. It’s a minimally invasive process that’s usually done quickly — and without any complications. The risks of it are rare and might include infection, bleeding, and scarring. But we understand if you’re nervous about having your infant undergo this procedure. If you have concerns about this treatment, please reach out to our staff at State Street Smiles!
Schedule Tongue Tie Treatment With Our Dentists!
Is this condition interfering with your baby’s feeding? Or is it causing other issues? At State Street Smiles, we offer treatment for tongue ties in Hackensack, NJ. Our dentists, Dr. Edward Jackson and Dr. Dina Jackson, can perform a frenectomy to correct this condition, allowing your child to thrive — while reducing the risk of speech problems and other issues!
