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Watching your child grow up can be a rewarding experience. You start to see their personality blossom and their various likes and dislikes. One thing they will have an opinion on is food. They might enjoy some and despise others, but transitioning to solid options can be tricky. It can be especially so if your loved one has a lip- or tongue-tie. Here’s what you should know and how a pediatric dentist can help.
Remind Me, What Is a Lip- and Tongue-Tie?
As a quick refresher, a lip- and tongue-tie is when the frenulum is too short or thick. This is the soft tissue that connects the lips to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. When it’s too tight, proper movement is restricted, and it can cause issues as early as infancy. For instance, children with this can have trouble latching while feeding or have speech problems.
What Can This Condition Do to My Child’s Diet?
A lip- and tongue-tie can continue to be trouble for your loved one as they get older. When it’s time to switch to solid foods, they might struggle with it. Their tongue may not be able to move upwards or sideways, and their lips may not be able to drink or wrap their lips around the bites they take.
This reduced mobility can often cause coughing, choking, vomiting, and gagging in some cases. Little ones with this condition are often told they are slow, picky eaters or fast since they don’t chew properly. These issues can persist into adulthood if not taken care of.
How Can My Child’s Dentist Treat a Lip- and Tongue-Tie?
If your child has a lip- and tongue-tie, then there are ways you can help them out! You can visit their pediatric dentist for a frenectomy. This is a quick procedure that releases the connective tissue that’s too tight.
A dental laser is used, and it helps make the entire process precise and comfortable. It emits almost no sound, heat, or vibrations, while also cauterizing the area. Local anesthesia isn’t typically needed, so you can feel confident your loved one will have a quick treatment and speedy recovery.
About the Practice
At Chicago Tongue-Tie Center, our team is dedicated to helping those with a lip- and tongue-tie resolve them with state-of-the-art treatments. Led by Dr. Justin Welke and Dr. Bindi Vibhakar, we use advanced technology to diagnose this condition and fix it with an effective procedure. If you want to make sure your child is set up for comfortable eating, schedule an appointment or call our office at (312) 248-2455.