A lip- and/or tongue-tie is not uncommon among infants and young children. In fact, physicians have been performing frenectomies to release these thick bands of tissues for centuries. However, changes in the way women chose to feed their babies caused the regular occurrence of the procedure to decline. Now with more women choosing to return to breastfeeding, many are seeking professional help when signs point to a lip- or tongue-tie. Read on to find out from a pediatric dentist in Chesterfield what symptoms you should watch for that might dictate whether your baby needs a frenectomy to ensure complete oral function.
Why Frenectomies Are Becoming More Popular
It is not uncommon for a baby to be born with a lip- or tongue-tie. If the band of tissue located underneath the tongue or behind the upper lip is not restricted, there will likely be no issues when it comes to breastfeeding, speaking, or even sleeping. However, for infants with bands that are thick and make it more difficult to move the lip or tongue freely, this is when problems can develop.
For centuries, doctors and even midwives performed frenectomies to allow a baby to successfully latch when nursing; however, as bottle-feeding became more popular, many women turned to this trusted alternative. The truth is that breastfeeding was viewed as inferior and tongue-ties were just one of the many reasons women were encouraged to forgo natural methods and instead opt for the bottle.
As most trends do, breastfeeding has reemerged as the preferred way to feed a baby with many women choosing to forgo the bottle until the child is older. As a result, dentists and physicians are seeing a rise in the number of frenectomies performed simply because the issues surrounding lip- and tongue-ties in regard to breastfeeding are occurring more frequently.
Breastfeeding Signs to Watch For
If you are a mother who is breastfeeding and begin to notice you are developing any of the following signs, it’s time to consider how a local lip- and tongue-tie specialist can help you and your baby:
- Latching issues
- Feeling depressed because of the difficulties you face when trying to breastfeed
- Difficulty getting your milk to flow successfully
- Swollen, red, and damaged nipples
- Developing blocked ducts or mastitis
- Increased pain while attempting to breastfeed
- Prolonged feedings resulting in a lack of or interrupted sleep
When you start to notice these symptoms, don’t wait to seek treatment. A specialist can help improve the breastfeeding experience by safely treating your child’s lip- or tongue-tie.
About the Author
Dr. Homer Sedighi earned his dental doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis and followed with a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Rochester. Now a board-certified pediatric dentist, he is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If your child may need a frenectomy, the procedure is pain-free after we administer local anesthesia, and the use of a laser allows for a faster healing time. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sedighi on our website or call (636) 777-7777.