Does my Child Have a Lip-Tie?

June 30, 2017

Lip-ties are maybe not as well known as the similar condition, tongue-tie. Both oral health concerns occur due to an excessive amount of connective soft tissues called frenum. When there is too much tissue or the tissue attaches the lip or tongue too closely to the skull or bite, your little one can experience severe negative impact on their oral and overall health as well as impeding regular daily functions. Lucky for kids and parents in Nashville and surrounding communities, Paige Prather Smiles has you covered. With years of advanced training and experience in lip-tie therapies, Dr. Prather can correct your little one’s lip-tie, and she can even work with nursing mothers to improve their breastfeeding experience.

What are the Symptoms of Lip-Tie?

There are a number of early warning signs that your baby may be suffering with a lip-tie. If you’re breast feeding, you may notice your baby has difficulty latching, feeds for extended periods, or has a very erratic feeding schedule. Babies will have similar difficulties during bottle feeding, but it may not be as apparent. For older kids, lip-tie may cause any of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty chewing
  • Choking or vomiting during or following eating
  • Speech impediment
  • Gap between front two teeth
  • Difficulty or discomfort when smiling
  • Struggle to brush the front teeth

Lip-tie Therapies in Nashville

If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact Dr. Prather right away to schedule an evaluation. She’ll assess your child’s lip-tie and partner with you to plan for treatment as quickly as possible. The main procedure associated with lip-tie is called a frenectomy. It is the removal of the excess soft tissue causing lip-tie. We perform this treatment using state-of-the-art soft tissue lasers. Because the laser cauterizes and stimulates healing as it removes tissue, your child will be very comfortable throughout the procedure, there will be minimal bleeding, and recovery time is usually just a few days.

What Should I do Next?

Give Dr. Paige Prather a call as soon as you notice any of the warning signs of lip-tie. Dr. Prather has years of training and experience providing skilled, effective, and comfortable lip-tie treatments for infants, young children, and even older kids and adults in some cases. It’s essential to your child’s healthy development and function to have lip or tongue-tie treated at the earliest possible stage by a trained professional, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us as soon as possible.

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