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The oral function of your child’s tongue and swallowing patterns play a key role in their oral development, speech patterns, and even their diet. If your infant, toddler, or child has a tongue or lip tie, correcting it can help to improve muscle patterns and normal oral function.
A tongue tie occurs when the thin piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual frenum) is too short or tight. This can restrict their tongue's movement, making it difficult for your child to speak, eat, or swallow properly. They can also result in speech impediments.
Tongue ties may affect an infant’s ability to nurse or even cause discomfort for nursing mothers. In most cases, tongue tie treatments provide immediate improvement.
A lip tie occurs when the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums (labial frenum) is too thick or tight, which can also lead to difficulty with breastfeeding, speech, and oral hygiene due to the tightness of the upper lip.
Correcting a tongue or lip tie can help improve your child's oral function and prevent future dental problems. Frenectomies are quick and minimally invasive procedures that involve reducing or thinning the excess tissue to release the tongue or lip tie. This allows for improved lip or tongue movement, making it easier to speak, eat, or nurse.
We collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of specialists to carefully evaluate and determine if a frenectomy would be beneficial for your infant or child. To ensure proper function, it is crucial that patients work closely with their team of specialists. This process includes feeding support and/or oral myofunctional therapy, both before and after the frenectomy, to achieve optimal results.
Dr. Petr Vaughan will conduct a thorough examination of your child's mouth and determine if a frenectomy may be necessary. He can see patients as young as newborns if you suspect that your infant has a tongue or lip tie. If a frenectomy may be necessary, he will then coordinate with his team of specialists, including but not limited to Pediatricians, Lactation Consultants, Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists to receive a comprehensive, functional evaluation and treatment plan. We will also discuss the procedure with you and answer any questions you may have to ensure that you feel comfortable and informed.
If you are concerned that your child may have a tongue or lip tie, or if you have noticed difficulties with breastfeeding, speech, or oral hygiene, contact our emergency pediatric dentist to schedule an evaluation.
Contact us to find out more about pediatric frenectomy treatments in Cincinnati.