Lip & Tongue-Tie: Why Early Intervention Is Essential
Lip & Tongue-Tie: Why Early Intervention Is Essential
If your baby is struggling with breastfeeding, gaining weight slowly, or having difficulty latching, they may have a lip or tongue-tie. These conditions occur when the tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the mouth is too tight or restrictive, limiting movement. Early intervention is key to ensuring your child’s proper development, which is why our pediatric tongue-tie dentist in Okemos, MI, offers advanced laser treatment using the LightScalpel CO₂ laser.
Understanding Lip & Tongue-Tie
Lip and tongue-ties are congenital conditions that restrict oral mobility, impacting a baby’s ability to feed properly. If left untreated, these restrictions can lead to difficulties with speech, oral hygiene, and even jaw development as a child grows.
Signs Your Baby May Have a Lip or Tongue-Tie
Recognizing the signs of a lip or tongue-tie early can help ensure your child receives timely treatment.
Some common symptoms include:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched during breastfeeding
- Frequent gas, colic, or reflux
- Poor weight gain despite frequent feedings
- Clicking sounds while nursing
- Speech delays or difficulty articulating certain sounds (in older children)
Symptoms Mothers May Experience
A tongue-tie doesn’t just affect the baby—it can also cause significant challenges for the mother, especially during breastfeeding.
Symptoms a mother may experience include:
- Painful nursing: Persistent pain during or after breastfeeding, even with proper positioning
- Cracked or bleeding nipples: Due to improper latching and excessive friction
- Frequent clogged ducts or mastitis: Caused by ineffective milk transfer
- Low milk supply: As a result of inadequate stimulation from an inefficient latch
- Shortened feeding sessions or baby falling asleep quickly: Because the baby struggles to extract enough milk
If you experience any of these symptoms, your baby may benefit from laser lip and tongue-tie release.
Benefits of LightScalpel CO₂ Laser Treatment
Traditional tongue-tie releases involve scissors or scalpels, which can cause bleeding and require stitches. However, the provides a gentler, more effective alternative.
This advanced laser technology offers several benefits, including:
- Minimized discomfort: The laser procedure is quick and precise, reducing pain for your child.
- Faster healing: With minimal bleeding and no stitches required, babies recover more quickly.
- Less trauma: The laser cauterizes as it cuts, reducing inflammation and infection risk.
- Improved breastfeeding outcomes: Many parents notice an immediate improvement in their baby’s latch and feeding ability.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes for your child. Addressing these issues in infancy can prevent long-term complications such as speech impediments, dental issues, and jaw misalignment. Additionally, early lip and tongue-tie release improves the breastfeeding experience for both mother and baby, promoting better nutrition and bonding.
Learn More:Does Tongue-Tie Affect Speech Development? →
Schedule a Lip & Tongue-Tie Consultation
If you suspect your child may have a lip or tongue-tie, don’t wait to seek help. Our pediatric tongue-tie dentist in Okemos, MI, offers precise and effective LightScalpel CO₂ laser treatment to ensure your child’s oral development is on the right track. If you have any questions, please call the Michigan Tongue-Tie & Airway Center at (517) 574-4688 or fill out our online contact form.