Every parent wants to ensure that their child is comfortable and happy from the moment they enter this world. One issue that some infants deal with is tongue-tie, which can lead to challenges breastfeeding, swallowing, and speaking as your child grows up.
Laser or pediatric tongue-tie is a procedure that works to resolve this problem. Read on to learn more about how our Tampa Tongue Tie Center team can help with tongue-tie for infants.
What is Tongue-Tie?
If you have noticed that your baby cannot feed properly, they may have a condition known as tongue-tie for baby. This is a condition that is present at birth, and it restricts tongue movements due to the small piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth being too short.
Babies with tongue-tie cannot move their tongues properly, so they struggle to drink healthy amounts of milk when feeding. This can lead to a fussy infant who is not gaining an appropriate amount of weight.
Most parents realize that their infant may need to see a tongue-tie specialist in Tampa when they notice that the infant is struggling to feed or speak. However, here are some other symptoms that you may notice:
● Colic symptoms
● Slow weight gain
● Falling asleep when nursing
● Whining after feedings
● Reflux symptoms
● Very long feedings
If you notice any of these signs, take your child for a visit to our team at Tampa Tongue Tie Center for an examination.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is the most common way to treat tongue-tie for children. Typically, a doctor would snip the frenulum (the piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) to allow tongue movement. However, today, our tongue tie center near you uses a CO2 laser to remove the frenulum.
Some benefits of using a CO2 laser for tongue-tie treatment include:
● Less pain and discomfort following the procedure
● A more precise treatment option
● Less bleeding
● Less time
● Reduced risk of infection and swelling
CO2 lasers are safe for treating infants, adolescents, and adults. The laser is used to gently free the tongue while sterilizing the area at the same time, lowering the risk of infection and speeding up recovery time.
Recovery Time and Aftercare
It can take a few weeks for your baby to learn how to use their tongue correctly once they have received a frenectomy from our tongue tie center in Tampa. The area needs to heal, but you will also need to help your baby perform exercises to strengthen their tongue and ensure everything is working properly.
It is normal for your child to experience a small amount of soreness during recovery. Additionally, you may find that they drool a bit more often following their treatment.
Book Your Comprehensive Examination
If you are worried that your child may be dealing with tongue-tie, please do not hesitate to contact our team of professionals at Tampa Tongue Tie Center. We are happy to provide your child with a comprehensive oral examination and offer a frenectomy using CO2 laser treatment if necessary. Please get in touch with us to book your comprehensive examination today.