As the mother of an infant, you’re always just a little bit worried, and that’s perfectly normal! However, you’re slightly more anxious than most because your child seems to have trouble feeding. You’ve tried breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and your child just can’t seem to get a good grip on the nipple. The whole process seems very uncomfortable, and it takes way longer than your doctor said it should. “What is causing this?” you ask yourself. In many cases, the source of this problem is actually a thickened frenulum, which can cause a condition referred to as “tongue-tied.” Fortunately, it can be easily fixed by your dentist using a short procedure called a frenectomy. What is it? Read on to learn more.
What Exactly is a Frenulum?
Perhaps you’ve never heard of a frenulum, but you and your child actually have three of them in your mouths right now.
A frenulum is a small piece of tissue that assists in the functioning of different parts of the body. In your mouth, you have two that attach each lip to your gums and one underneath the tongue. Sometimes, a frenulum can be too short or thick to allow the lips and tongue to move normally, and in small children, this can be a big problem, especially when it comes to feeding. It can inhibit a child from getting a comfortable grip on the nipple, and this can prevent them from feeding effectively. This is why many children who are tongue-tied end up being somewhat underweight. Over time, this condition can affect the development of the teeth, cause breathing issues, and even make speaking difficult and uncomfortable.
Luckily, a trip to your dentist is all you need to avoid these problems.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a minor procedure where a doctor actually snips a shortened or thickened frenulum, allowing the tongue and/or lips to move more freely. In the past, it was normally performed with surgical scissors, which as you can imagine, caused quite a bit of discomfort for children. However, thanks to advances in dental technology, it can now be done in just a few minutes using something called a soft tissue laser. Using the laser’s highly-precise beam of light, a dentist can fix a frenulum while causing next to no pain or bleeding for a child. The results are instant, and in many cases, a child barely needs any kind of recovery time.
Does My Child Need a Frenectomy?
If you’ve noticed that your child has trouble feeding, breathing, or speaking, the culprit could very well be a shortened or thickened frenulum. The best way to find out is to visit a family dentist in your area. If they recommend that your child have a frenectomy, ask if they use a soft tissue laser. If they do, then you’ll know your child will be completely comfortable during the treatment.
Modern frenectomies are now relatively quick, painless, and they can do a tremendous amount of good for your child’s long term health. With it, you’ll be able to just sit back and relax the next time you feed your child.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller is a family, restorative, and cosmetic dentist based in Kittanning, PA. He always uses a soft tissue laser to perform his frenectomies, and he just loves how it helps him achieve immediate results while causing no discomfort. He currently practices at Voller Dentistry, and he can be reached through his website or by phone at (724) 543-4948.