Tongue-Tie Release: Are Stretches or Exercises Necessary?

Keeping up with active wound care is one of the most important aspects of a tongue tie or lip tie release. You need to do these exercises for four weeks after your treatment, and they will ensure that the released tissue doesn’t become reattached during the rapid healing process. Reattachment can cause new limitations in mobility and symptoms, so you want to avoid it. Keeping up with post-surgery exercises is one of the most important aspects of a tongue or lip tie release. These exercises are designed to prevent reattachment during the healing process, which can cause new limitations in mobility and the recurrence of symptoms.

Tongue-Tie Release: Are Stretches or Exercises Necessary?

These Tongue-Tie Release exercises are designed to be effective and gentle to your newly released tissue – as this tissue is highly vascular (has a lot of nerve endings) and very sensitive to stretching, these exercises should be performed slowly and gently to avoid pain and burning sensations. If you do them too aggressively, you can cause the stitches to stretch out too quickly or the skin tissue to tear. Since the point of doing these exercises is not to cause pain but to nurture and release the tissue gently, you may want to wait until the first few days post-surgery before trying these exercises to avoid “stretching out” the stitches too quickly.

The Upper Lip

The upper lip has muscles attached to it, and releasing these muscles can help improve the functionality of the upper lip. The zig-zag movements below are designed to stimulate these muscles.

Stimulate the upper lip muscles by tracing a zig-zag path over the lip in the direction of the arrows. Move slowly and gently.

The Lower Lip

There are no muscles attached to the lower lip, so there is no need to stimulate the muscles. Lower lip tissue is very sensitive. However, only very gentle stretches are needed. Use the following pointers as a gentle guide to releasing the lower lip.

Fold the lower lip inside and out gently and slowly, moving from side to side. Keep the movement in a very small range and keep it very, very gently. Don’t pull, push, or force anything. This is gentle, slow, and easy.

The Tongue

Try using the back of a spoon to stimulate the tongue. The idea is to stimulate the tongue in its new, released position. The spoon will be placed against the front teeth, and its back edge will be dragged across your tongue to stimulate it. This should be done very gently and not more than four times per day.

The Healing Process

After your surgery, your tongue and/or lip are going to be very swollen, red, and irritated for about a week. Your doctor will likely prescribe oral pain medication, but you should also take steps to minimize post-surgery swelling to lessen the amount of pain medication that you need. Talking to your doctor about exercises and stretching methods will help speed up your healing and hasten your recovery.

If you need more information on co2 laser for tongue-tie, visit Lexington Smile Studio. Established in 1991 by Dr. Fawn Rosenberg, Lexington Smile Studio sets the standards for exceptional care where we provide a full range of dental services for your entire family. Our dental services include cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics, implant dentistry, periodontics, and laser dentistry.

Tongue-Tied: All You Need to Know About Ankyloglossia

The term “tongue-tied” usually refers to a moment wherein one has difficulty speaking or stumbles on their words. While most people regard this phrase as just an expression of speech, there is actually a medical condition on which it is based.

What Is Ankyloglossia?

Tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is a medical condition that is characterized by having a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum—the soft tissue under your tongue. Having this condition limits the range of motion your tongue has, which results in difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and even jaw and neck pain.

Who Is Affected by Ankyloglossia?

The condition is already usually present at birth. However, it is often difficult to diagnose this condition because babies are still developing. Even as adults, this condition may be found later on.

Difficulty diagnosing this condition results in situations wherein people undergo several treatments from orthodontists like braces or even jaw surgery. However, the problem does not go away because the problem is not addressed at the root.

How Is Ankyloglossia Treated?

The only way to treat this condition is through a procedure called “frenectomy.” This is a surgical procedure wherein the soft tissue is cut to extend the range of motion of the tongue. It can be done surgically or with the use of a laser—most people prefer the laser as there is less damage to tissues, no longer a need for stitches, and completely eliminates bleeding during the procedure.

There may also be some cases wherein the condition is so severe that frenectomy is not enough. Some patients may be required to undergo various rounds of speech therapy after the procedure. One therapy that is common among people with Ankyloglossia is Myofunctional therapy.

Myofunctional therapy is a sort of therapy that aims to correct the tongue and muscles of the mouth after a frenectomy. It ensures proper movement and even the correct way to breathe. This may be necessary for some who have lived with Ankyloglossia their whole life and may not be used to the proper movement of their tongue.

There are also cases wherein orthodontic treatment may be needed. Some may be prescribed braces or other orthodontic tools to correct any damage that was brought about by having Ankyloglossia.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Frenectomy?

Having your Ankyloglossia treated has several benefits. Aside from just correcting the tongue, which already corrects your speech issues, there are other areas that you may not have noticed were affected by the condition.

Relaxation of Neck and Shoulders

Due to the limited movement of your tongue, more tension is placed on the neck and shoulders to make up for it. Having a frenectomy immediately relieves the tension on your neck and shoulders, which you may not be aware you have.

Improved Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common side effects of having Ankyloglossia. Sleep apnea is not only a condition that decreases your sleep quality, but it also is potentially harmful. Having a frenectomy immediately improves your ability to breathe, especially in your sleep.

Better Swallowing

When you have Ankyloglossia, your tongue cannot be moved too much, which could get in the way when swallowing food. A frenectomy will allow you to move your tongue in more directions with a better range, which makes it easier when you are eating and swallowing.

Conclusion

Ankyloglossia is a condition that is more common than most people think. While some people may live their whole lives without getting the condition treated, it is always best to get it checked if you suspect that you have it. Having Ankyloglossia treated does not only improve your speech but relieves several other symptoms, as well.

We at Lexington Smile Studio offer various treatments for different conditions including CO2 laser for tongue-tie. We provide several dental care and services, ensuring that our patients get the highest quality treatment that they deserve. Contact us to book an appointment.

Should I Get Invisalign?

Invisalign

Invisalign | It’s been an exciting time in the field of orthodontics over the last few years. In the past, patients had fewer choices when it came to straightening their teeth. Traditional braces were about all there was. Today, you can also choose invisible braces like Invisalign. It just comes down to your individual situation and treatment goals.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an innovative system for straightening teeth that does not involve metal wires and brackets. It uses clear, plastic aligners that fit snugly over the teeth to shift them into their proper positions over time. 

Invisalign has quite a few things going for it. Some of the advantages of these clear aligners include:

• Almost invisible
• Aligners can be removed
• No restrictions on what you can eat

Virtually Invisible

Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, strong plastic. Unless you choose to tell someone, it’s unlikely that anyone will know that you are being treated with Invisalign. This makes the system extremely attractive for anyone seeking an unobtrusive treatment option. Although traditional braces are not as prominent as they were in the past, they are still quite noticeable to others.

Removable

The fact that Invisalign aligners are removable makes the system incredibly convenient for the wearer. In addition, anytime you need to brush or floss your teeth, or eat, just remove your aligners and replace them when you’re finished.

You can also remove your clear aligners for activities like selfies or group photos. Even though the aligners are virtually undetectable, a camera flash could cause some reflectivity with the aligners in certain situations.

Although removability is an advantage for most patients, it can be a liability for some. If you lack the self-discipline to replace your aligners, which are required to be in your mouth for 22 hours a day, your treatment time could be unnecessarily extended, or your results could be negatively affected.

No Food Restrictions

Traditional braces are notorious for food restrictions. For example, sticky foods and snacks can stick to all of those metal wires and brackets. With Invisalign, just remove your aligners whenever you are eating and snacking.

In addition, the same beverages that can stain natural teeth, like coffee and tea, can stain your aligners, defeating one of the main advantages of these clear aligners: its invisibility.

Schedule Your Consultation

Is Invisalign right for you? Schedule a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist as your first step in straightening your teeth and improving your smile. Contact us today.