How do you know if your child needs a laser frenectomy for the treatment of a tongue or lip tie?
At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, every day, we have parents who come to us with questions about lip and tongue tie treatment. We’ve put together this detailed information to help you better understand lip ties and tongue ties and whether a CO2 laser frenectomy may be right for your child.
How Can an Untreated Lip or Tongue Tie Affect My Child?
It doesn’t matter if your child is a newborn, toddler, or adolescent, research shows that a restricted upper lip and/or tongue tie that inhibits the full mobility of upper lip or the proper resting position of the tongue on the roof of the mouth can lead to several different health and dental issues. Some of the problems that may be caused by a tongue or lip tie include, but are not limited to:
Narrow plate
Dental malocclusion
Restricted mid-face/maxillary growth
Sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea
Difficulty eating or breastfeeding
Digestive troubles such as reflux
Speech difficulties
As a parent, it’s important that you become educated and know what to look for in order to identify the presence of lip and tongue ties, and the potential impact such conditions may have on your child’s health and growth if left untreated or undiagnosed. When indicated, a frenectomy procedure may serve as a simple and straightforward solution to promote optimal sleep, health, growth, and development for your child.
What is a Frenectomy?
Removal of the connective tissue (which is known as the frenum) from either under the tongue or the upper gums is called a frenectomy. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, there are two types of routine laser frenectomies we perform:
Lingual Frenectomy. Also known as a tongue tie release, the removal of connective tissue from the underside of the tongue that connects to the floor of the mouth is called a lingual frenectomy. This procedure is used in the correction of a condition known as Ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, which refers to a tight, short, and thick frenum under the tongue which limits its mobility. In an infant, a tongue tie makes it difficult to breastfeed and latch properly. In children and adults, it can impact speech and eating habits. Furthermore, other orthodontic issues can result from a tongue tie as patients try to compensate for their lack of full tongue mobility by changing their jaw position.
Labial Frenectomy. Also known as a lip tie release, the removal of the connective tissue that goes from the upper gums above the front two teeth to the lip is called a labial frenectomy. Everyone has this piece of connective tissue, but when it’s short, tight, or large, it can create what’s known as a lip tie and can affect a newborn’s ability to flare out or curl their lips which can create problems latching on during breastfeeding. As a child grows, an untreated lip tie can push apart the front two teeth which can cause a gap and require orthodontic treatment when they are older and permanent teeth come in.
When is a Frenectomy Needed?
Patients and parents choose frenectomies for a variety of reasons and at different ages.
When it comes to the treatment of an infant lip tie or tongue tie, the decision for the child to have a laser frenectomy is often made due to problems with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Tongue or lip tie symptoms in an infant include:
Prolonged breastfeeding
Difficulty latching onto the breast which results in sore nipples for the mother
Excessive gassiness
Frequent spit up or reflux
In toddlers and young children who have a lip tie or tongue tie, they may present with the following:
A gap between the front teeth
Speech impediments and difficulties with annunciation
Jaw pain
Eating problems
While some parents may not be concerned about a gap in the teeth from a purely aesthetic perspective and they feel it just means that the child will need braces, braces are advised only when the child’s permanent teeth have developed. If the gap remains even after the course of braces, a labial frenectomy may be advised. On the other hand, sometimes the emergence of permanent teeth will effectively close the gap that was caused by the labial frenum’s length. Another consideration is that a long or short frenum can also cause tooth or jaw misalignment, and therefore the patient may benefit from a frenectomy.
With a patient who has a short lingual frenum, they may push out their lower jaw to compensate for the lack of movement and to help with the problems they experience with eating or speaking. This overcompensation can result in constant jaw pain and lead to the development of an underbite. When a patient has an elongated frenum, they may not be able to extend their tongue normally, and they may have discomfort and difficulty swallowing.
The Importance of Identifying a Tongue or Lip Tie in Your Child
Pediatricians and general dentists do not always notice a tongue or lip tie during their routine checkups. For some children, the condition may not be identified until they reach pre-kindergarten or elementary school. This is unfortunate because a laser frenectomy can be performed with minimal pain during the first few weeks after birth.
For this reason, it is so important that parents are aware of these abnormal conditions of the frenum inside the mouth and the effect they can have on a child’s general health and growth and development.
Frenectomies can have a huge impact on the patient’s quality of life, whether it’s by promoting the bonding that occurs between a mother and an infant during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding or ensuring that a patient’s newly straightened teeth stay that way.
What Does a CO2 Laser Frenectomy Involve?
At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we offer a holistic approach to pediatric dental treatment. If it’s discovered that your child is tongue tied or lip tied and can benefit from a laser frenectomy, we can perform the procedure in a simple and straightforward manner, usually in a one-day office visit.
Traditionally, frenectomies were performed with either scissors or a scalpel and sedation was used and sutures were needed. Not anymore.
We are leading the way into the future of pediatric dentistry by using a state-of-art CO2 laser tool known as the LightScalpel. By using this advanced laser frenectomy equipment, there is little to no bleeding involved, and the recovery time is usually a very short couple of weeks. Learn more about our laser frenectomies on our services page, or give us a call today at (801) 294-8880.
Do I need a pediatric dentist? What’s the difference between a general dentist and pediatric dentist anyway?
Parents come to our pediatric dentistry with these questions often. Many times, the thought of using a dentist specifically for children doesn’t even cross one’s mind until they become a parent themselves.
Maybe your child’s teeth are just coming in and you want to get them started on routine cleanings as soon as possible. Perhaps your child is dealing with tooth decay and in need of dental treatments. Whatever the case may be, we are happy to educate you!
Check out our video where Jason Horgesheimer, DDS and Chuck Odion, DDS explain the difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist:
What is a General Dentist?
A general dentist is one who does not specialize in a particular area of dentistry, such as pediatrics, endodontics, or orthodontists, rather they provide a wide range of services. The primary goal of a general dentist is to prevent oral health diseases and promote healthy teeth and smiles. In fact, according to a study published by the Journal of the American Dental Association, nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are diagnostic or preventative.
What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists must complete a two-year residency program after they’ve completed the education required to be a general dentist. During this time, a dentist will acquire experience and skills working with young patients. Knowledge is gained during residency programs for pediatric dentists in the areas of:
Child psychology
Child-related pharmacology
Child development
Safe pediatric sedation practices
Dental Care is Important for Babies
Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children should see a dentist when their very first tooth comes in? At the earliest, the recommendation is six months, and at the latest, by their first birthday. It’s during this time in life that your child’s first teeth are making their appearance. During the first visit, your dentist will be able to assess the health of those teeth. Following that visit, it’s recommended that they see their dentist every six months.
Sadly, many children never see a dentist until there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Anxiety, stress, and unnecessary fear of the dentist may result in children who were not given a proper introduction and an opportunity to get familiar with the staff and setting of a dental office until they are actually in pain or require treatment.
What are the Advantages of Taking Your Children to a Pediatric Dentist?
Despite the fact that specialized pediatric dentists are available, many parents only take their children to a general dentist, or worse, no dentist at all. A general dentist is able to provide care for your child, but the following are several advantages of using a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric Dentists Can Help Prevent Dental Problems
Like general dentists, pediatric dentists also promote and teach the importance of preventative care with their patients. Children are highly susceptible to tooth decay for a variety of reasons. Dentists who specialize in pediatrics can offer treatments designed to help prevent tooth decay in young patients, such as:
Sealants
Fluoride Treatments
Space Maintainers
In the long run, it’s much easier and less painful to prevent tooth decay rather than to treat and react to problems after they arise. Pediatric dentists are quite familiar with the types of dental problems children deal with, which makes them highly trained to help prevent these from occurring.
Pediatric Dentists Have More Experience Working with Children
Pediatric dentists work exclusively with children. As such, it goes without saying they will most definitely have more experience working with kids than would a general dentist who works with people of all ages.
Why do you want a dentist with lots of experience working with children? Children have unique dental needs. Their teeth are more susceptible to cavities. For children, losing teeth is a normal part of growth and development. This is vastly different from adults whose teeth will be their last set in life!
In addition to having unique dental treatment needs, they also behave differently than adults. Some pediatric patients experience a great deal of stress and fear when it comes to dental treatments. This anxiety is enhanced when they are not used to visiting the dentist, or they have extensive dental treatment needs. Pediatric dentists, such as Dr. Jason Horgesheimer, Dr. Clark Walker, and Dr. Chuck Odion have unique experience in:
Talking with children
Dealing with their emotions around dental treatments
Easing their fears
Working with children who have cognitive, behavioral, or developmental special needs
Both of our pediatric dentists gained experience by working alongside hundreds of patients in a children’s hospital for training, making them well prepared to deal with pediatric dental patients every day.
Pediatric Dentists Know How to Help Children with their Dental Habits
Adults already know how to brush and floss their teeth regularly. As general dentists will typically re-iterate the importance of these habits, it’s unlikely they need to provide instructions on how to do so. With kids, it’s a bit different.
Children typically need a lot of help when it comes to learning how to brush and floss their teeth regularly. Pediatric dentists need to consistently work with their young patients to help them develop healthy dental habits for life. In addition to providing things like fun toothbrushes and toothpaste, pediatric dentists can also help parents develop plans to encourage children to properly care for their teeth.
Pediatric Dental Offices are (Usually) Less Scary than General Dentist Practices
Visiting the dentist can be scary. Even for adult patients, stepping into a dentist office can cause a bit of anxiety. Pediatric dentists are quite aware of this stress and go the extra mile to make sure kids are comfortable when visiting the dentist.
At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we use smaller dental equipment that is specially designed to fit comfortably in children’s mouths. Each piece of equipment is introduced to the children just one tool at a time and an explanation is given as to why they are needed. By speaking with children and explaining each piece of equipment to them, the fear of the process is erased, without overwhelming the child all at once.
Pediatric Dentists Have More Training than General Dentists
All dentists have a bachelor’s degree and four years of dental school education, but pediatric dentists go even further in their training. In addition to the foundational education requirements, pediatric dentists go through an additional two years of specialized training, just as Dr. Jason and Dr. Chuck explain in the video.
During those additional two to three years of training, there is a special focus given to:
The treatment of developing teeth
Child psychology and behavior
How to make children comfortable at the dentist
Children’s physical growth and development
Special requirements for children’s dentistry
Treatment of children with special needs
Safe and effective pediatric sedation techniques
Are You Searching for a Pediatric Dentist in Davis County?
We can’t wait to talk to you! Children visit us from North Salt Lake, West Bountiful, Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, and Kaysville for their pediatric dental needs. Get in touch with us today at our pediatric dentistry to set up an appointment for your child. Call us at (801) 294-8880.
Problems latching on. Painful nursing. Colic. Failure to thrive. Many of these problems can be caused by a tongue-tie or lip-tie in a baby. Check out the following video to learn more about the treatment of a tongue-tie or lip-tie at our pediatric dentistry.
When it comes to the treatment of a tongue-tie or lip-tie, South Davis Pediatric Dentistry performs more correction procedures than any other pediatric dentistry in Davis County, which includes Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, and Kaysville. Before a laser lip-tie or tongue-tie release is done, each patient is given a full examination and a determination is made based on the patient’s individual needs as to whether or not this is the best course of treatment.
If the procedure is recommended for your child, it is often performed on a same-day basis because so many families travel sometimes for hours for our experience with this procedure. Our goal is to help parents and children understand more about this common condition, that’s often misunderstood. Keep reading to learn about these issues and how we treat tongue-tie and lip-tie reversals.
What is Tongue-Tie or a Lip-Tie?
For most people, the term tongue-tied brings to mind a situation in which you simply cannot find the right words to say! For many parents and children, however, being tongue-tied is something entirely different.
A condition in which the band of tissue (lingual frenulum) that tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth is unusually short, thick, or tight is known as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). This condition results in limited use of the tongue. Likewise, the piece of tissue behind your upper lip, known as a frenulum, can also be too short, thick, or stiff, which can keep the upper lip from freely moving and is known as a lip-tie. A lip-tie can prevent the upper lip from being curled or from moving normally. If treatment is needed, a surgical or laser cut can be made to release either frenulum and is known as a (frenotomy).
How Can a Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie Affect My Child
Both conditions are relatively common, although they do not cause problems for everyone who has them. However, considering that both the lip and tongue are complex groups of muscles and vitally important for all oral functions, a lip-tie or tongue-tie can lead to problems in children with:
Nursing
Feeding
Dental development
Speech
Difficulties with proper oral habits which can lead to dental decay
Moving into adolescence and adulthood, untreated lip-ties and tongue-ties can even cause:
Neck pain
Migraines
Shoulder pain
Speech problem
Signs that Your Baby Has a Lip-Tie or Tongue-Tie
If a newborn has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, they may have a hard time sucking, which can result in poor weight gain or even failure to thrive in severe cases. When the baby fails to create a good seal around the nipple, they may end up swallowing a lot of air or they may be unable to adequately nurse, which can cause problems such as:
Gas
Colic
Extended nursing sessions
Sleep deprivation
Reflux
Spitting up
Excessive drooling
Falling off the breast
A gap between the teeth and the jaw
Falling asleep while nursing
Biting the nipple during feeding (after the teeth have come in, of course)
While sometimes a tight or short frenum can be obvious upon visual inspection, many times, the condition is not so obvious. A baby with a tongue-tie or lip-tie might have audible sucking sounds that are similar to a clicking noise heard when the baby is given the breast or bottle. The baby may also experience thrush or have an inability to hold a pacifier.
Mothers are often the best indicator as to whether or not there is a problem with a tongue-tie or lip-tie. Signs to watch for in a nursing mother include:
Significant pain while nursing
Trouble getting the baby to latch on
Mastitis
Plugged ducts
Nipple cracking or bleeding
Nipple blanching
Sleep deprivation
How Treating a Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie can Help Mothers and Babies
Mothers with babies experiencing issues with either type of frenum tie often call the feeding of the baby the equivalent to a “full-time job” because they are left hungry all the time, unable to get enough milk, or spitting up what they are able to get. Unfortunately, if the problem is left untreated, mothers often abandon breastfeeding.
However, when a lip-tie or tongue-tie is successfully treated early on, mothers often report relief of pain while nursing and a better latch from the baby. Reflux and colic symptoms often go away completely, and weight gain is facilitated. Furthermore, the sooner a tongue-tie or lip-tie is treated, the child will be able to better learn how to use their tongue and mouth correctly.
What Happens During the Treatment for a Lip-Tie or Tongue-Tie (Frenectomy)
Traditionally, healthcare practitioners snipped the tongue-tie or lip-tie with surgical scissors. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we have invested in a soft-tissue laser that enables safer treatment with less risk for bleeding and trauma to the baby.
What Happens During the Procedure of a Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie Reversal?
Laser treatment has made this procedure much less painful and more accurate than ever before in history. In only a few short moments, the entire procedure is done. Here is the typical process:
Mother, parent or guardian holds the child in the dentist chair during the procedure
A topical numbing agent is applied to the area
The dentist uses a small handheld laser to cut the lip-tie or tongue-tie precisely
The baby is then free to begin nursing or to be comforted by the mother, parent, or guardian
The dentist will review instructions for post-procedure treatment of pain relief and stretching exercises, which are very important
How to Help Baby Heal and Sooth Post-Procedure
Your mouth has amazing healing abilities! As such, the healing of a post-procedure tongue-tie or lip-tie reversal is typically only a couple of days in length! Many babies will be unfazed by the procedure, while others may show signs of discomfort and require a little extra TLC. Regardless of how your baby handles it, it’s always best to give some extra cuddles and attention during this time. Here are some suggestions:
Perform skin-to-skin contact immediately after the procedure
Breastfeed immediately following the reversal
A topical anesthetic may be prescribed by the dentist
Apply ice to the affected area to reduce pain and inflammation
Consider rubbing organic coconut oil to the area
An amber teething necklace may help to promote a good inflammatory response
Tylenol or ibuprofen may be recommended in certain cases
Perform Oral Exercises Post-Procedure
Because the mouth has such amazing healing properties, it’s important to perform post-procedure exercises to prevent the cut tie from reattaching to the site. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we will provide post-procedure exercise instructions for the type of reversal your child had done.
When to Call Your Dentist or Doctor
Complications from a tongue-tie or lip-tie reversal are rare. Minor bleeding and increased fussiness are completely normal for a few days after the treatment. Be sure to call us or your family doctor if:
You notice your baby is extremely upset and not responding to normal pain relief methods
If there are any signs of infection such as fever or swelling around the area
If there is excessive sleepiness or restlessness
If excessive bleeding is present
Are You Ready for the Pediatric Dental Experience Your Child Deserves?
You’re going to appreciate the level of skill our team of doctors brings to the table. They’ve had extensive training and continuing education courses to excel their knowledge and ability to perform laser treatments specializing in tongue and lip-tie.
Over the years, it’s been our absolute privilege to provide pediatric dental care to thousands of patients and to witness, first-hand, life-changing results. Mothers who were finally able to nurse. Young children relieved of frequent mouth and tooth pain. Good dental health is a vital part of your overall stasis of health and well-being.
Pediatricians and lactation specialists throughout Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, and Kaysville trust us for their patients’ needs, as evidenced in hundreds of referrals per year. They trust us and we work closely alongside them. You can trust us too.
Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to set up an appointment. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Thanks for making South Davis Pediatric Dentistry the premiere pediatric specialists in Davis County for more than 5 years! We love your kids and look forward to continuing to serve you!
All of us at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry have had the opportunity to be a part of the amazing communities in Davis County for 5 YEARS now and cannot believe how quickly it has gone.
When Dr. Jason had the opportunity to extend his practice from Salt Lake County to Davis County, he knew he could not pass it up. He had been practicing for the previous 18 years in the Taylorsville area and had always wondered if a location closer to home would be in his future. Building the location had its challenges and (of course) its unexpected extensions, but we ended up with a BEAUTIFUL, state of the art, award winning office.
It’s easy to say the wait was worth it!
Dr. Jason and his wife put their heart and soul into designing and creating an office that was warm, fun and inviting for our patients and their families. From our three story tree house, a (how many) gallon fish tank, and TV’s above every dental chair loaded with all the kids’ favorite movies, this is definitely not your average dentist office! Looking back after these first 5 years, we are all SO grateful that Dr. Jason took that opportunity to build his practice in Davis County.
We have also had the most amazing doctors and staff join the team over the years here in Davis County. We have strived, since the day we opened our doors, to always put our patients first! With that as our goal, the doctors and staff have been meticulously hand picked. Our doctors have ALL completed specialist training and additional education to specifically treat infants, children and adolescents.
Our staff is always happy, helpful and ready to give the best experience possible while visiting the dentist! We are grateful to be able to say that at South Davis Pediatric Dentisty, we are more than just employees, we are your friends!
In the past five years we have been able to accomplish so much! From holiday donation drives, yearly parade routes in North Salt Lake, Bountiful, West Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, Layton, Kaysville, and our personal favorite, the annual patient appreciation back to school carnival right here at our office.
We have truly enjoyed serving our community and being able to give back in some fun and exciting ways! It is definitely one of our highlights in what we do and are always thinking of new ways to give back to our patients in the future.
As with anything we do in the community, we always look forward to and enjoy the time spent getting to know all those around us! It is so fun to get to know our patients on a more personal level. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us and learn our names! So many of us mention the times that we run into our patients outside of the office. Whether it’s at the store, in a gym, or our own children’s school functions/ sporting events, we love being recognized and greeted as your friend!
If we could sum up how we feel about the last 5 years at South Davis Pediatric Dentisry in one word, that word would be GRATEFUL!!
We are so grateful to have been able to meet, treat, and become friends with all of our amazing patients and their families!
We are so grateful to be able to live and work in such a community where we all feel the authentic and genuine love towards those we are able to serve on a daily basis.
Thank you, Davis County, for your continued support, we can’t tell you how much YOU mean to us!
Cavities are a common problem during childhood. Yummy candy, late night snacking, and forgetting to brush are the ingredients to sugar bugs attacking and making holes in your child’s teeth. Since parents often ask us “Which type of filling is the best and safest option for my child?” we thought we’d give some pointers. (more…)
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