A frenectomy is a very simple, minor procedure that is done to remedy tongue-tie in patients. An infant’s quality of life can greatly improve by undergoing this treatment.
The frenulum, which is a thin fold of tissues, connects the upper lip and the jaw; it also links the tongue to the lower jaw. Extreme frenulum tightness can impede movement and cause additional issues when it comes to talking and eating. A better range of motion can be restored after a frenectomy.
Determining whether your child could potentially benefit from this particular procedure can sometimes pose a challenge. That’s why it’s imperative to have a keen awareness of the warning signals, enabling you to seek assistance promptly before the situation gets worse.
What are the Signs You Need Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Breastfeeding Issues
Tongue ties may affect nursing. Babies with restricted lip movement may have trouble latching onto the nipple. They may not latch deeply. Your baby may nurse for long periods yet still be hungry, lose weight, or develop jaundice or colic.
When babies fail to breastfeed, mothers suffer too. Tongue-tied babies might harm nipples when breastfeeding. Nipples compress or wedge. Tongue-tied babies might develop engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis from inadequate milk evacuation. Moms may experience milk oversupply, undersupply, exhaustion, frustration, and despair.
If you see these tongue tie symptoms, assess your child for a tongue tie. Treatment can make breastfeeding easier.
- Breathing Issues
Untreated tongue-tie causes a child’s tongue to sit lower in the mouth and not contact the roof when swallowing. High, narrow palates limit nasal breathing. It opens the mouth.
Children will lip-breathe. Obstructive sleep apnea, a serious adult disease, can ensue. Your child may mouth, breathe, and snore at night. Mouth breathing and snoring are serious issues.
- Eating Issues
A tongue-tie release can make swallowing harder during nursing, adolescence, and until it’s cured. Due to the limited range of motion, the tongue cannot rest in the optimal position to swallow. See how hard it is to swallow without your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Swallowing with a tongue tie is like that.
- Speaking Issues
Speech impairment is the last clue your child needs a frenectomy. Again, a tongue knot restricts tongue movement, making some sounds harder to pronounce. Dentists recommend seeing your child if they have a lisp or other speech issues.
- Teeth Gaps
The top frenulum might impact the tooth position if it is too tight. A gap between the front teeth can result from the frenulum reaching the gum tissue. Sometimes teeth push together naturally, but sometimes the frenulum must be severed and braces used to close the gap. Gapped teeth are cute, but they may indicate a tongue knot.
- Degrading Gums
Tongue ties can cause gum recession. The frenulum links to the gum tissue border. Too much tension can pull on gum tissue and shrink gums.
What Happens After Tongue-Tie Treatment?
The little tongue-tie procedure causes several substantial alterations. The dental operation focuses on relaxing the lingual frenulum, the muscle under the tongue. The tongue will be more flexible and free. It can relieve nursing and communication issues immediately.
Dental procedures might take a few days to a few weeks to heal, depending on the complexity of the work. After surgery, follow post-operative care instructions to avoid issues. Speech therapy and tongue exercises can help newborns and young children retrain and enhance their tongue function.
Improved eating, speaking, and mouth health improves life quality over time. Post-treatment care and monitoring may be needed for optimum results. Tongue-tie treatment helps the tongue function and develop to relieve symptoms.
How Can Tongue-Tie Affect Breathing?
Tongue-tie, a dental condition characterized by a tight lingual frenulum, can inhibit breathing. The tongue positions the soft palate and epiglottis to ensure proper airflow during respiration.
An extreme tongue tie might make breathing difficult due to tongue immobility. Dental dryness and respiratory infections can result from the tongue’s failure to seal the mouth when breathing. Tongue-tie, especially in children, can cause a high and narrow palate, which might raise the risk of sleep-disordered breathing and apnea.
Tongue ties can also make eating and breathing difficult due to improper oral and pharyngeal muscle coordination. Aspirating solids or liquids into the airway can be dangerous. Such conditions can cause pneumonia and other breathing issues.
Get a Satisfactory Consultation with Our Team
During a consultation with one of our tongue tie near you, they will thoroughly assess your child’s oral cavity to ascertain whether a frenectomy is the most suitable course of treatment. If they still need to, they will work closely with you to identify equally effective alternatives.
Please don’t wait to address issues with your little one’s smile; give them the care they deserve by visiting Tampa Tongue Tie Center for an appointment. Our staff is here to ensure that you and your family experience optimal health and well-being.