Parents, are you looking for a pediatric dentist that provides quality care for your children? Rigby Pediatric Dental is the perfect place for parents who want the best care for their children. We provide quality pediatric dentistry, no matter your child’s age or dental condition. And we provide care that you may not find at your average pediatric dentist’s office, such as laser care for lip and tongue ties in Idaho Falls.
Please schedule a consultation with us today to see how we can help your child get the dental care they need!
Tongue and Lip Ties
You may have heard of tongue-tie and lip-tie if you have an infant or young child. But what are they? Tongue-tie and lip-tie are conditions that can interfere with breastfeeding, speaking, and oral hygiene. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what tongue-tie and lip-tie are, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, and what you can do if your child has either condition.
What is Tongue-Tie?
Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition that occurs when the tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or thick. The attached tissue can interfere with the tongue’s range of motion, making it difficult to breastfeed or eat certain foods. Tongue-tie can also make it hard to clean the tongue properly when brushing the teeth, which can lead to problems with oral hygiene.
What is Lip-Tie?
Lip-tie is a condition that occurs when the tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gums is too short or thick. Like a tongue tie, this can interfere with your child’s lip range of motion and make it difficult to breastfeed or eat certain foods. Lip-tie can also make it hard to brush the teeth properly, which can lead to eventual oral issues such as tooth decay.
Signs and Symptoms of Lip-Tie or Tongue-Tie
The most common sign of lip-tie or tongue-tie is difficulty breastfeeding. A baby may have difficulty latching onto the nipple or may fall off the breast frequently. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Poor weight gain
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty sticking out the tongue past the lower gumline
- Difficulty licking ice cream or other cold desserts
- Speech problems later in childhood
If you suspect your child has lip-tie or tongue-tie, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kory Bingham. Dr. Bingham and his team will be able to confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment options, such as laser therapy.
Laser Treatment
If the tongue or lip tie is severe, we offer the latest dental technology and techniques to correct it, including laser dentistry. Laser dentistry is a relatively new procedure that can fix these problems quickly, comfortably, and effectively, helping to improve function and reduce the risk of future problems. Most patients see an immediate improvement in their symptoms.
Dr. Bingham will use a laser to make a small incision in the tissue. The laser cauterizes the blood vessels as it cuts, minimizing bleeding and swelling. This entire process usually takes less than five minutes and can be done in our state-of-the-art dental facility in Rigby, Idaho.
Laser Dentistry For Lip and Tongue Ties
At Rigby Pediatric Dental, we understand that parents want the best possible care for their children. That’s why we offer quality pediatric dentistry services tailored to meet each child’s unique needs. We accept most insurance plans and will even submit your claim for you!
Tongue-tie and lip-tie are two conditions that can cause difficulties with breastfeeding, speaking, and oral hygiene in infants and young children. If you suspect your child has either condition, schedule an appointment with Rigby Pediatric Dental. We can confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment options.