LASER FRENECTOMIES

TONGUE AND LIP TIED BABIES AND ITS EFFECTS ON BREASTFEEDING

WHAT IS A TONGUE AND LIP TIE?

The ligament that attaches the upper/lower lip to the gums is called the labial frenum. It is normally attached at about 4 mm above the gum crest of the front teeth to allow lip movement. The ligament attaching the tongue to the base of the mouth is called the lingual frenum, which should allow for free movement of the tongue. The tongue plays an important role in swallowing, speech, tooth and jaw development. A child with a tight lingual frenum is called “tongue tied”, and one with a low-attaching labial frenum is called “lip tied”.

HOW A TONGUE OR A LIP TIE AFFECTS BREASTFEEDING

Milk develops in the mother’s breast after the birth of her baby, but the supply is replenished and increased only by the vigorous sucking that empties the breast. If the baby cannot suck correctly, the milk supply is not renewed and it is more likely that breastfeeding will fail.

THE TONGUE / LIP TIED BABY

When a tongue or lip tie is causing problems with breastfeeding, the baby often does not open his mouth widely, thus not latching onto the breast at the correct angle. Instead he/she may latch onto the nipple, and chew it, causing the mom severe pain and potentially, nipple damage. There can also be cracking, distortion, blanching or bleeding from the nipple, which can sometimes be followed by infection or Mastitis.

OTHER BREASTFEEDING ISSUES

An incorrect latching caused by tongue tie can subsequently cause:

  • The nipple to not elongate, which may not allow the milk to be directed correctly for swallowing, making the baby prone to aspiration of fluid, infections, coughing, gagging, choking, or vomiting.
  • The sinuses, where milk is stored, to not be stimulated to release milk.
  • Intense nipple pain.
  • Baby may slide of the nipple, due to his/her inability to maintain a hold onto the breast.
  • Hunger, malnourishement, swallowing of air, lack of sleep causing incessant crying and inability to settle.
  • Poor weight gain or failure to thrive.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Surgically releasing the frenum is called a frenectomy. In our office we perform a procedure called a “laser frenectomy” in which we use Biolase Waterlase laser to gently release the frenum from its attachment. Our Waterlase is an all tissue laser which uses laser energy or “pulses” in combination with a water spray to perform procedures without needing local anesthetic or a scalpel. The frenectomy procedure takes between 5 and 30 minutes depending on the severity of the case and full healing with new skin is evident within 10 days.

Post-operative discomfort is minimal and usually involves mild soreness for 2-3 days. Unlike a traditional scalpel frenectomy, laser frenectomy allows your child to eat and function normally immediately following the procedure. The new frenum attachment will attach approximately 5 mm higher than its original position, releasing the tongue or lip. Directly after the procedure is performed, you and your baby will be given some privacy to try and breastfeed. In many cases, moms will be able to experience immediate results, where the baby will successfully latch and feed!

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BIENVENIDO A DR. BEE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Entendemos su necesidad de recibir tratamiento en una oficina dental que lo haga sentir confortable, seguro y bienvenido. Por favor reserve su cita o visite nuestra oficina para conocerla y aprender más sobre los servicios que proveemos. 

Para nuestros especialistas es una prioridad educar sus niños acerca de los beneficios de tener unos dientes y encías sanas para que pueda disfrutar de una sonrisa que dure para toda la vida.

Nuestra oficina cuenta con equipos de última tecnología dental, incluyendo procedimientos sin dolor con laser. Para ayudar a los niños a eliminar sus miedos a lo desconocido, hemos creado una atmósfera relajante que les permite disfrutar sus programas de televisión favoritos, leer y jugar en uno de los varios iPads con los que contamos en el área de juegos, etc. 

Algunos de los servicios que proveemos incluye: tratamientos de láser sin dolor, cuidado de rutina y preventivo, rayos x, aplicacion de fluor y sellantes, extracciones, etc. Nos esforzamos para detectar y tratar los problemas de manera temprana para ayudarle a su niño a desarrollar buenos hábitos de salud oral y que reciba el excelente cuidado que se merece. 

Para hacer una cita llame nuestra oficina al (813) 991-5300

BEM VINDO AO DR. BEE DENTISTA PEDIÁTRICO

É um prazer ter você aqui, eu sou brasileiro e tenho assistentes brasileiras, por isso prestamos um serviço personalizado para a comunidade brasileira aqui na Flórida.

Entendemos sua necessidade de receber tratamento em um consultório odontológico que o faça se sentir confortável, seguro e bem-vindo. Por favor, reserve sua consulta ou visite nosso consultório para conhecê-lo e aprender mais sobre os serviços que oferecemos.

Para nossos especialistas, é uma prioridade educar seus filhos sobre os benefícios de ter dentes e gengivas saudáveis para que possam desfrutar de um sorriso que dure por toda a vida.

Nosso consultório conta com equipamentos de última geração em tecnologia dental, incluindo procedimentos indolores com laser. Para ajudar as crianças a eliminar seus medos do desconhecido, criamos uma atmosfera relaxante que permite a eles desfrutar de seus programas de televisão favoritos, ler e jogar em um dos vários iPads que temos na área de jogos, etc.

Alguns dos serviços que oferecemos incluem: tratamentos a laser sem dor, cuidado de rotina e preventivo, raio-x, aplicação de flúor e selantes, extrações, etc. Nos esforçamos para detectar e tratar problemas de maneira precoce para ajudar seu filho a desenvolver bons hábitos de saúde bucal e receber o excelente cuidado que merece.

Para fazer uma consulta, ligue para nosso consultório no (813) 991-5300.

We're hiring bilingual

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, and would like to work at the best place in the world, and is bilingual, come work with us as a front desk at our Wesley Chapel office or at our Land O’Lakes clinic. Contact us at (813) 991-5300.