CO2 Laser Release | Lip Tie Infants | Tongue Tie Infants

Laser Lingual Frenectomy for Infants and Children

Lip Tie Infants | Tongue Tie Infants – Infants that are unable to feed properly could have ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie. This condition restricts the tongue due to the lingual frenulum, or tissue, that is holding the tip of the tongue to the lower mouth area. An infant with tongue-tie is unable to move their tongue properly to consume enough milk. Therefore, the infant may be persistently hungry and lose weight if not treated as soon as possible. Some parents are unfamiliar of the condition and as the child grows older, complications with speaking and chewing become more obvious. Fortunately, CO2 laser release is a procedure that uses a soft tissue laser to gently free the tongue from the excess frenulum. The CO2 laser also sterilizes the area which reduces the chance of infection and recovery is quicker.

What are the symptoms of tongue-tie in infants and children?

Symptoms may include the following:

Infants

• Tongue movement difficulty – particularly from side to side
• Difficulty moving the tongue outward
• Infant appears to be gasping for air during feeding
• Infant falls asleep too soon while feeding
• Infant  has gas and/or hiccups after feeding
• Weak latching or smacking sounds while feeding
• Infant uses gums to latch
• Oral blisters
• Low weight
• Gulping milk
• Inability to use a pacifier or prefers the bottle instead of breast

Children

• Difficulty chewing food
• Delayed speech
• Lisp
• Oral health issues like tooth decay
• Slower speaking ability
• Neck, back, and/or jaw pain
• Migraines

Why do some infants and children have the tongue-tie condition?

Before birth, the lingual frenulum separates naturally. However, there are instances when it does not. The reason is unknown but some researchers suggest it could be hereditary.

How does tongue-tie affect an infant or child?

The tongue is very important. It helps babies and children to feed, learn to speak, maintain oral health, and live a quality life. Tongue-tie condition restricts a growing child in the following ways. Feeding – Infants naturally know how to suck for milk. However, the restraint of tongue-tie makes sucking difficult for them. They have to force the action more which causes stress and refrains them from consuming enough milk. Needless to say, your baby is losing nutrition and not developing as he or she should. Speech – As your baby gets older and starts to learn words, tongue-tie will make speaking challenging. Some words will be difficult to pronounce and your child will not speak clearly. Oral Hygiene – Untreated tongue-tie can cause oral issues like tooth decay and gum disease due to the lack of mobility. Your tongue naturally helps keep teeth clean. And when the tongue is positioned correctly, the teeth are more likely to develop correctly without gaps or spaces. Overall Interference – As your baby grows into a wandering child and later an adult, they will have limitations. Enjoying lollipops, ice cream, public speaking, and romantic relationships will be challenging. Lip Tie Infants | Tongue Tie Infants – Parents need to consider a CO2 laser release treatment for tongue-tie condition to avoid these issues. Consult with us today to learn more about your infant or child’s procedure. Call (781) 861-7645 or request an appointment online.