Pediatric dentistry can treat a number of different conditions, and tongue-tie is one of them. This is a condition that your child might have at birth. It restricts your child’s tongue’s range of motion. Your child might have a thick, tight, or short band of tissue at the bottom of the tongue. This runs to the bottom of the mouth. It can cause problems if you are breastfeeding. You should take your child to a pediatric dentist if you suspect this condition.
Usually, the lingual frenulum separates before the child is born. The lingual frenulum is designed to attach the tongue to the mouth. When it detaches, it gives the tongue a free range of motion. However, when a child has tongue-tie, the lingual frenulum does not separate.
It is still attached to the bottom of the tongue. It is unknown why this happens. However, some genetic factors can cause it. The condition is more common in boys than in girls. But it can happen to anyone.
A baby may have signs of a tongue-tie that is causing problems. If so, it is good to make an appointment at the pediatric dentist. A doctor may think that the child’s speech will be affected negatively. In this case, it is a good idea for them to see a pediatric dentist. Older children can be affected as well. For example, the child may have problems with the tongue that interfere with speaking or eating.
There are pediatric dentistry treatments available for this condition. Tongue-tie is diagnosed during an oral exam. For an infant, a doctor might use a screening tool. This will score different parts of the appearance of the child’s tongue. It will also score how well the tongue can move.
Sometimes, the lingual frenulum may become looser over a period of time. This will resolve the condition. However, in other cases, the condition may continue but not cause any problems. However, in pediatric dentistry, surgery is sometimes recommended. A child might have a frenotomy or a frenuloplasty.
In a frenotomy, the doctor will use a sterile pair of scissors to cut the lingual frenulum. There are not many blood vessels or nerves in this area. This means that the procedure is relatively comfortable for the child. If there is blood, there is only likely to be a drop or two. The child can breastfeed immediately after the procedure.
Whether or not your child has tongue-tie, it is a good idea to make a pediatric dentistry appointment. This allows the dentist to examine your child for other potential problems as well. Your child’s dentist can help you decide if your child needs treatment for tongue-tie. The treatment is relatively simple and unlikely to cause your child pain. Your child will not need to spend much time at the dentist’s office for treatment. To find out more about tongue-tie procedures, contact your dentist today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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