Lip and tongue ties can be headaches for both young parents and their children. They occur when the frenulum, the piece of tissue connected to the lips and tongue, so thick that it impairs their ability to move.
If you’re familiar with the condition, you may have heard that it can hinder babies’ ability to breastfeed properly. However, the problems don’t stop there; they could cause trouble with other kinds of feeding as well…
Tongue Ties and Solid Food
When learning to chew, it’s necessary to be able to move the food to the teeth. This is normally done with the tongue, so if it’s mobility is limited by the frenulum, it can become difficult for children to learn to grind up solid foods.
The problems don’t end there. When breastfeeding or drinking, the liquids are deposited on the back of the tongue for easy swallowing. However, solids need to be moved to the back of the mouth via the tongue.
This is where tongue ties can become a problem; they can cause problems for the child’s ability to move solid foods around the mouth so that they struggle when it comes time to make the transition.
How to Deal with a Tongue Tie
Moving from liquid to solid foods is vitally important to children’s development, which is why a lip and tongue tie needs to be done at a young age.
Thankfully, the process is easy. Tongue ties are treated via a process known as a frenectomy, which entails trimming the frenulum so that it doesn’t restrict the movement of the tongue.
The child’s mouth is numbed with a local anesthetic, making the procedure completely painless, and the whole process takes mere seconds.
After this is done, your child should be able to eat better almost immediately. If they’re still breastfeeding you’ll likely notice easier latching than you’ve ever experienced from them before, and that the feeding itself will be more comfortable for both of you.
About Our Practice
At Children’s Dental Specialty, Dr. Veronica Martinez and the rest of our dental team are here to help you get the care that your family needs, no matter their issue. We specialize in pediatric care, so we have the expertise and unique technologies necessary in order to help our patients feel their best as quickly and comfortably as possible. We strive to make appointments enjoyable for kids and their parents alike, offering an experience that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
If you have any questions about lip or tongue ties, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (480) 282-6746.