Some infants are born with a band of tissue called the lingual frenulum that is too short or tight and keeps the bottom of their tongue tethered to the floor of their mouth. Sometimes, this can impact an infant’s ability to move their tongue properly, resulting in feeding challenges, speech problems, and fussiness. For those infants, there is the option to get tongue-tie treatment in Spruce Grove to release the frenulum and improve the child’s ability to move their tongue.
It can be tough to determine whether or not to release a child’s tongue tie. Parents often receive conflicting advice and information about tongue-tie, making it difficult to decide what is best. In this blog post, our Blossom Family Dental team provides information to help you determine what is best for your child.
1. Does Your Child Have Tissue Under Their Tongue That Can Be Cut?
If your child does not have tissue tethering their tongue down, they cannot have tongue-tie, and their issues with feeding or speaking are likely due to something else. Sometimes, the frenulum is present but not easily seen, so it is a good idea to have your child evaluated by our experienced dentist near you if you suspect tongue ties.
2. Does Your Child Have Challenges Breastfeeding?
If you have determined that your child does have a frenulum, the next question to ask yourself is whether or not your child is struggling to feed. If your infant has no issues breastfeeding, there is no reason to move forward with tongue-tie treatment near you. However, if they are unable to feed and are causing pain and frustration for both themselves and the mother, you may want to consider getting their tie released.
3. Is Long-Term Breastfeeding Important to You?
For uninterested families in Breastfeeding, avoiding the risks and pain associated with tongue-tie treatment makes sense. Often, families aren’t super keen on breastfeeding; for those families, offering the infant pumped breastmilk or formula may be a better option than getting the infant’s tongue-tie released. However, remember that some babies still cannot feed on a bottle with a tongue tie, and in that case, it is best to take them to our Spruce Grove dental clinic for treatment.
4. Do the Benefits of the Procedure Outweigh the Potential Risks?
Even when performed by an experienced dentist in Spruce Grove, tongue-tie treatment comes with some risks. The main benefit of the procedure is that your child will be able to feed with ease, feel better, and won’t deal with speech problems later in life. However, some risks include pain, infection, bleeding, and the potential for the procedure to fail.
It is best to talk to our dentist near you about all the risks and benefits to determine if this is the best choice for your child.
Visit Blossom Family Dental
There is no one solution for those with tongue-tie, and it is important to discuss your options with medical professionals. If you would like to learn more about tongue-tie and determine the best option for your child, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Blossom Family Dental. We are happy to address any questions or concerns about this treatment.