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Pay OnlineAs a parent, you’re dedicated to caring for your infant, and you want to see your child grow and develop in a healthy way. But if your baby has a Tongue-Tie, their path toward wellness can have a significant roadblock. Our team of compassionate providers is here to make sure your baby enjoys excellent oral health as well as a healthy journey from infancy all the way through to adulthood. To learn more about Tongue-Ties, you can continue reading and then reach out to us to schedule to have your baby evaluated.
Tongue-Tie – Chicago, IL
Help Your Baby Thrive
What Is a Tongue-Tie?
You may have heard the term Tongue-Tie, but it can be tricky to identify on your own. A Tongue-Tie occurs when the fibrous tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, called a frenulum, impairs the tongue’s function and range of motion. Basically everyone has a frenulum in that location, but a Tongue-Tie restricts your baby’s tongue, leading to several problems for both mother and infant.
How Can a Tongue-Tie Impact My Baby?
Breastfeeding can be a special experience between you and your baby and give you both many health benefits. However, a Tongue-Tie can make it difficult to latch properly, leading to slowed growth for your little one and sore nipples for you.
Tongue-tied babies who are fed with bottles may still be able to thrive early on, but an untreated Tongue-Tie can still impact their growth and development later in life. For example, when you make the transition to solid foods, your baby may struggle with certain textures. The tongue also plays an essential role in speech, and a limited range of motion can impair your child’s ability to communicate clearly. In addition, the position and motion of the tongue has a direct effect on how their teeth and jaw develop, which could mean more intensive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Unfortunately, the frenulum under the tongue does not stretch or grow as your baby grows. This means that their Tongue-Tie will continue to be a problem until it is treated.
How Is a Tongue-Tie Treated?
To restore the range of motion and function in your baby’s tongue, we need to perform a frenectomy, where the thick, restrictive tissue is released. At first, this may seem scary, but at Chicago Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our providers utilize the most advanced technology available. As a result, we can perform frenectomies with a gentle laser instead of a scalpel. We remove the excess frenulum within just a few minutes without anesthetic.
What Are the Benefits of Tongue-Tie Treatment?
On top of enabling your infant to get back on track in terms of their growth, a laser frenectomy for a Tongue-Tie is much more beneficial than traditional frenectomy methods. Most of the time, laser frenectomies cause little to no bleeding or discomfort. Plus, you don’t have to wait long to see improvement in feeding. In fact, we encourage mothers to breastfeed immediately following the procedure to provide healing nutrients from breastmilk.
Visit Chicago Tongue-Tie Center
Navigating the need for lip or tongue-tie treatment can be a confusing process at the start. Let our team help make it simple and stress-free for your family! At our new Chicago Tongue-Tie Center, you’ll have access to true experts, the latest technology, and a comfortable environment where everyone can feel at ease. If you’d like to learn more about what to expect and how to schedule a visit at Chicago Tongue-Tie Center, visit the website below.
