Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment – McKinney, TX
Free Up Your Oral Structures
When there are malformed, connective tissues in the mouth, they can restrict the movements of the lips and/or tongue. As a result, you may experience several daily inconveniences and a higher risk of oral health problems. If you or your child have a lip or tongue tie, our McKinney dental team is here to help. We accept referrals from speech therapists should they believe you or your child might benefit from a minimally invasive procedure known as a frenectomy. This process allows us to free up the oral structures and get you on the path to an improved quality of life. Call us to find out how we can help.
Why Choose Marble Dental McKinney For Lip and Tongue Tie Treatment?
- Friendly, Empathetic, & Skilled Team
- Effective Treatment for Children & Adults
- Lower Your Risk of Oral Health Problems
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
Lip and tongue ties are present at birth. They develop when the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth (labial frenulum) or the lips to the gums (lingual frenulum) is too short or thick. Often, the exact cause of these malformations is unknown, though some experts believe that nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy may play a role in their development.
In many cases, lip and tongue ties are diagnosed very early in a baby’s life and are treated accordingly. Some of the most common symptoms associated with an infant or child lip or tongue tie include:
- Difficulty latching while breastfeeding
- Fussiness
- Colic or acid reflux
- Difficulty swallowing food or chewing
- Fatigue due to prolonged feedings
- Lisp or another similar speech impediment
However, if the diagnosis is missed, or lip and tongue tie treatment is unsuccessful, these issues can cause symptoms throughout infancy, childhood, and even adulthood.
If you are an adult with an untreated lip or tongue tie, you may experience numerous symptoms, including:
- Mouth breathing
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- An increased risk of dental problems
- Limited lip and tongue mobility
- Difficulty kissing
- Slurred speech after only a small amount to drink
- Speech impediment
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
While a lip or tongue tie might not seem like a big deal at first, these issues can have a major impact. For example, they can interfere with nighttime breathing, which can affect the quality of your sleep and cause you to feel exhausted all the time. Limited tongue mobility can make it challenging for you to remove food from certain parts of your mouth, which can lead to bad breath and a heightened risk of gum disease and tooth decay. You may also feel self-conscious due to speech difficulties – a factor that can be quickly remedied with the help of lip and tongue tie treatment.
Children with lip and tongue ties should receive treatment to avoid poor weight gain, nutrient deficiency, slurred speech, and even sleep-disordered breathing.
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
The best way to treat lip and tongue ties is via a minimally invasive procedure known as a frenectomy. We simply number the mouth, sever the tissue that is restricting the movements of the lip or tongue, and provide aftercare instructions that will prevent the treated tissue from reattaching.
We may also refer you or your child to a specialist known as a myofunctional therapist. Their job is to train you to use your lips and/or tongue in the proper way, which can lead to improved breathing, swallowing, and speech. Often, myofunctional therapy is recommended both before and after a frenectomy.
