Tongue Tie

What is a Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie is a membrane under the tongue that limits oral mobility. In severe cases, a tie can cause longterm dental problems, underdeveloped speech, or significant feeding problems that last beyond infancy.

If you’re struggling with some of these common feeding problems in newborns, your baby may have a tongue tie issue.

Here at Orem Pediatric Dentistry we use an exclusive Biolase Waterlase laser with a proprietary technique and bandage that prevents reattachment of the tissue eliminating the tearing the tissue. After healing we always get normal healthy gum tissue rather than scar tissue on the surgery site. We have done over 5000 of these surgeries with excellent healing.

Signs of a Tongue Tie

An infant tongue tie is similar to a lip tie. This congenital oral condition, also known as an ankyloglossia, ties the baby’s tongue to the floor of the mouth, inhibiting mobility and causing latching difficulties.

If your baby is gagging, frequently detaching from the breast, or making a clicking sound while feeding, they could have an infant tongue tie problem.

But this is actually good news, because it means your infant feeding difficulties can be fixed.

It isn’t uncommon for tongue ties to occur simultaneously. Your pediatric dentist can confirm whether your baby has one or both.

Tongue Tie & Breastfeeding

Not only do breastfeeding babies with a tongue tie exhibit the above symptoms, but mothers suffer their own set of symptoms, too.

You may experience:

– Mastitis or blocked milk ducts
– Bleeding from gumming or improper latching
– Breast and nipple tenderness during or after feedings
– Frustration and fatigue from seemingly never-ending feedings
– Engorged breasts after feedings, as though your infant barely drank anything

Tongue Tie Procedure

In the case of a tongue tie procedure, or lingual frenectomy, Dr. Howell uses the WaterLase to gently cut back the lingual frenulum, or the membrane that tethers the tongue to the bottom of the mouth.

This tongue tie correction increases mobility of the tongue and can eliminate infant feeding issues.

Schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist who specializes in tongue tie treatments, like Dr. Howell. This way, you’ll be sure to get an expert on the job who can reduce the risk of infection.

See What Parents Have to Say About Our Expert Pediatric Dentist Tongue Tie Treatments…

Samantha H

“My son is now able to hold a binky in his mouth… and eats better and faster without clicking or taking in excess air when he eats from a bottle. He seems to have very little pain and was acting like himself the very next day. Really grateful for the quick, good work, and pleasant staff!”

Natalia V

“Dr. Howell was wonderful. We took our baby in and he told us he was doing great and wouldn’t need any surgery which saved us so much money. We really appreciate his honesty and how he doesn’t care about the money, but the health of his patients!”

Hilary P

“We went to Dr. Howell to have my daughter’s lip tie corrected when she was 3 months old… Dr. Howell was very thorough in describing what the procedure entailed, and eased our anxiety… He is now my daughter’s pediatric dentist and will be for as long as we stay in the area!”

Mallory B

“Dr. Howell repaired my son’s lip tie and it was a very smooth and successful operation. He thoroughly answered all my questions and performed the procedure quickly in his office. My son was not in a lot of pain afterwards and easily took a bottle right away. I was also very happy to not have to stretch his lip for weeks after the procedure! Overall, I was very pleased and grateful with the outcome of Dr. Howell’s work on my son.”

Shelby W

“We are happy with the work that was done. We had my 4 month old’s tongue and lip tie lasered and it was amazing how much better be was nursing immediately after the procedure. I also appreciated that Dr. Howell called us a few days later to follow up and make sure that my baby was doing well.”

Was your baby born tongue tied?

Dr. R Bruce Howell and his team can end your feeding frustrations right now.

A tongue tied baby can be difficult to feed. But there’s hope for improving your little one’s ability to latch and drink correctly.

Most mothers report significant, immediate feeding improvement after a quick, painless procedure at our office. Contact us now to transform your feeding experience in as little as 48 hours.