Does My Child Have a Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie is a condition many children are born with. While it’s common, it’s something you want treated by an experienced Claremont, CA dentist like Claremont Dental Institute. But how do you know if your child has a tongue tie? And what treatment will fix it?

What Exactly is Tongue Tie?

Tongue ties happen when the bit of skin that connects the tongue to the base of the mouth is too short or tight. If that skin isn’t the right length, a child doesn’t get the full range of motion that their tongue is supposed to have. This can cause issues with the child eating and nursing, along with their speech as they get older. Because of this, it’s important that the condition gets taken care of as early as possible.

How Can I Tell if My Child has a Tongue Tie?

Thankfully, it’s easy to see if your child has a tongue tie. One indication is if your child has difficulty with breastfeeding or can’t really move their tongue side-to-side. Other signs include your child not being able to stick their tongue out past the lower jaw or lift the tongue up to the roof of their mouth. You may also notice that their tongue looks notched or heart-shaped when they have it sticking out. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to make a call to Claremont Dental Institute.

What’s the Treatment for Tongue Tie?

Luckily, the treatment for this condition is simple. With the Solea laser and laser dentistry, your child doesn’t have to go through a stressful surgery. It’s virtually painless, which is another benefit

With laser treatment, it only takes one visit to get the treatment that your child needs. The laser often eliminates the need for even a local anesthetic. This treatment means less swelling and discomfort, leading to shorter recovery time.

It’s recommended that treatment occur sooner rather than later. While tongue tie is not a serious condition, it can impact the development of speech as children get older. This can cause issues with the child’s self-esteem.

Treating Tongue Tie at Your Dentist in Claremont, California

Claremont Dental Institute is proud to offer full oral health services. We want to improve the overall oral health of both you and your child. We’re proud to offer the latest in dental technology to make this happen as quickly and painlessly as possible. We also have experience in the dental issues of patients of all ages, including infants and small children.

Do you think your child may be suffering from tongue tie? Call our office today or schedule an appointment online!