Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment – Rexburg, ID

What Is a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

If you take a moment to feel around your mouth, you’ll find that you have three thin bands of tissue that are called a frenulum. One connects each lip to your gums, and another is found beneath the tongue. They help these parts of the mouth function properly, and they are supposed to lengthen and loosen during gestation to allow plenty of movement. Sometimes, however, this doesn’t happen, and the frenulum ends up being rather short or tight. As a result, the tongue and/or lips become restricted and less able to move, leading to a host of short and long-term problems.

What Are the Symptoms of a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

Tongue or lip ties can manifest in many different ways. Keep an eye out for these common signs:

FOR BABIES

• Unable to latch onto a nipple when breast or bottle feeding
• Excessive fussiness during feeding
• Having to gum or “bite” the nipple while feeding
• Short or truncated feedings
• Slow or inadequate weight gain

FOR BREASTFEEDING MOMS

• Very painful feedings that result in swollen and tender nipples
• Difficulty getting a baby to feed
• Inability to sustain adequate milk flow

FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS

• Speech impediments such as a lisp
• Difficult saying certain syllables
• A large space between the front teeth & other orthodontic issues
• Problems chewing or swallowing, which can lead to indigestion/heartburn

How Is a Lip or Tongue-Tie Treated?

If you suspect that you or your child may be struggling with a lip or tongue-tie, then go ahead and schedule a visit to Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg. With a short exam, Dr. Crofoot can determine if a lip or tongue-tie is present and get rid of it through a simple surgical procedure.

In this procedure, we may administer a local anesthetic, just to ensure comfort throughout the treatment. Then, we’ll sever the excess connective tissue to loosen the lip or tongue. Although soft tissues tend to heal rather quickly, you can expect the site to be slightly tender for a day or two afterward, as well as some mild bleeding. However, the range of motion is well worth any minor and temporary discomfort. Many parents say they see almost instant improvement for their babies!

Get the Care You Need Today

Lip and tongue ties can be tremendously frustrating for children and parents alike, but a solution is waiting for you at Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg to deliver a lifetime of increased comfort and well-being. To learn more about getting a frenectomy in Rexburg, contact us today.