Treatment for Tongue and Lip tie

Information for Tongue and Lip tie with infants & toddlers. Pain Free Dentist Sydney offer a range of TMJ tongue and lip tie treatments. Call us on (02) 9558 8988

Information for Tongue and Lip tie with Infants & Toddlers

Tongue tie can cause developmental problems, orthodontic problems that can cause sleep issues later in life.

Tongue tie which is also known as “ankyloglossia” is a condition that restricts tongue’s range of motion. This is a congenital condition i.e., present at the time of birth. The movement is restricted by a thin membrane called lingual frenum which is present under the baby’s tongue. In tongue tie, this membrane is found to be unusually short, thick and tight band of tissue that tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth.

Tongue tie is found to be more common in males than females and can run in families. Tongue tie can lead to various issues in relation to breast feeding, oral hygiene maintenance and speech difficulties.

Symptoms of tongue-tie

The symptoms of tongue-tie can include: 

• the tongue can’t poke out past the lips

• the tongue tip can’t touch the roof of the mouth

• the tongue can’t be moved sideways to the corners of the mouth

• the tongue tip may look flat or square, instead of pointy when extended

• the tongue tip may look notched or heart-shaped

• a baby with tongue-tie may have difficulties breastfeeding or bottle-feeding

• the front teeth in the lower jaw may have a gap between them.

  
  

  If you believe your infant or child may have tongue-tie issues and you have observed the symptoms above please call us on (02) 9558 8988. 

Why tongue-tie is a problem for breastfeeding?

Many babies with a tongue-tie can breast and bottle feed successfully. However, a significant tongue-tie that restricts the movement of the tongue can interfere with a baby’s ability to breastfeed and, in severe cases, bottle feed.  The restriction in movement of tongue hinders the tongue from properly attaching to the breast.

A baby needs to be able to have good tongue function to be able to remove milk from the breast well. If the tongue is anchored to the floor of the mouth due to a tongue -tie, the baby cannot do this as well. The baby may not be able to take in a full mouthful of breast tissue. This can result in ‘nipple-feeding’ because the nipple is not drawn far enough back in the baby’s mouth and constantly rubs against the baby’s hard palate as he feeds. As a result, the mother is likely to suffer nipple trauma.

There are many signs that a baby is having problems with breastfeeding and they may be related to tongue-tie:

• Nipple pain and damage

• Sore nipples during and after breastfeeding

• Squashed or flattened nipples after breastfeeding

• A compression mark, line or ridge on the nipple after breastfeeding

• The baby has difficulty latching on to the nipple, or appears to latch on and off repeatedly

• The baby’s mouth makes a clicking sound while feeding

• The baby is slow to gain weight.
  

Tongue Tie Treatments at Pain Free Dentist Sydney

Dr Lisa has been trained by the Laser Lifecare Institute for laser dentistry. She has also been trained to perform complex oral surgery with an Oral surgeon, based in Rockhampton Base Hospital. Her vast training in surgery also includes periodontal training with world renown Periodontist Dr Edward Pat Ellen. She is competant and confident in providing oral surgery and soft tissue management.

- Completed Hospital Paediatric Dentistry and care of the Medically Compromised Child

- Completed Osstem Implant dentistry

- Completed Brener Implant Institute

- Completed Advance Orthopaedics , Orthodontics and TMJ Therapy

- Rapid Smile Provider

- Invisalign provider

- Member of ADA (NSW)

- Member of AADFA (Australasian Academy of DentoFacial Aestherics)

- Member of ASID (Australian Soceity of Implant Dentistry)

Treat the underlying causes of crooked teeth by correcting poor oral habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, incorrect swallowing patterns. Having a tongue tie will lead to incorrect swallowing patterns and hence later lead to low tongue posture,  crooked teeth and speech impediment.

Tongue Tie Procedure

Mum and child will require a lactation nurse to assist in breast feeding. We have a lactation nurse on call to assist you. Your baby may face some discomfort for the next 1-3 days post treatment. Also, small degree of bleeding is common after the treatment. However, if the bleeding does not stop quickly or if you have any questions regarding the same, call us at (02) 9558 8988 during business hours. Or contact our after-hours mobile number.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a professional opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.