If your child is struggling with eating, speaking, or moving their lips and tongue freely, they may have a tongue tie or a tight buccal frenum. These issues can sometimes lead to complications with eating, speaking, and oral health. A straightforward dental procedure called a tongue tie and buccal frenum release near you can make all the difference in your child’s comfort and function.
This blog will help you recognize some of the signs to look for, when to seek out help, and what the tongue tie release involves.
What Is a Tongue Tie and Buccal Frenum?
A tongue tie happens when the strip of skin under the tongue, called the lingual frenulum, is too short or too tight. This can restrict tongue movement and may require a tongue tie release to restore function. A buccal frenum is the skin that connects your cheeks to your gums. When these parts are tight, they can stop the tongue or lips from moving the way they should. This can make it hard for a child to eat, talk, and even breathe well.
Both a tongue tie and buccal frenum can be treated by your dentist through one simple release procedure.
Signs Your Child May Need Treatment
Here are some of the most important signs recommended by a dentist in Pulaski to watch for in your child.
For Babies: Trouble with Feeding
The first signs of a tongue tie often appear during feeding, especially while breastfeeding. A baby with a tongue tie may find it hard to move his tongue correctly. This makes it hard for the baby to get a good latch on the breast or bottle. You might observe the following:
- Difficulty with Latching: The baby may be unable to latch properly onto the nipple.
- Clicking Noises: A clicking noise may be heard during feeding, which results from the baby cannot obtain a proper seal.
- Long feed or often feeding: The baby might feed for a very long time, but still does not seem full. Or, they might want to eat again very soon after a feeding.
- Poor Weight Gains: A failure of the baby to take in adequate milk might result in the child not gaining weight as expected.
- Mother’s Pain: For breastfeeding mothers, a poor latch can cause the nipple to become sore, cracked, or distressed.
For Older Children: Speech, Eating, and More
As children grow, a tongue tie can show up in different ways. You might not have noticed any problems when they were a baby, but as they get older, new issues can happen.
Here are some signs in older children
- Speech Problems: It almost always becomes tongue to the roof of the mouth and the teeth to produce certain speech sounds. A child has speech problems with the sounds “r,” “l,” “t,” “d,” and “s,” if his/her tongue either moves limitedly or has restrictions.
- Eating Problems: Efficient chewing and swallowing abilities of the tongue will involve effective movement by the tongue when chewing solids. Some children may become fussy or gaggish or choke repeatedly when they eat solids because they have a tongue tie.
- A word of caution: Some children with a tongue tie usually have poor oral habits; for example, they usually breathe through their mouth, which affects tongue positioning so that the tongue cannot relax into its correct position in the mouth. Dental problems may arise from this influence.
- A “heart-shaped” tongue: When a child sticks their tongue out, it may look notched or heart-shaped at the tip. This is because the tight frenulum is pulling down in the centre of the tongue.
Not every child who presents with all of the signs reviewed above will have a tongue tie, but if you witness some of these signs, have your child seen by a professional.
Here’s a quick table to help you keep track of the signs
| For Babies | For Older Children |
| Difficulty latching on | Trouble with certain sounds (“r,” “l,” “t”) |
| Clicking or smacking sounds | Picky or slow eating |
| Poor weight gain | Gagging or choking on food |
| Long or frequent feedings | Breathing through the mouth |
| Sore or cracked nipples for mom | Teeth grinding or restless sleep |
What is the Tongue Tie Procedure?
If your dentist or specialist determines that your child needs treatment, the procedure most commonly used for tongue ties is called a frenectomy. This is a simple and quick procedure. The dentist in Pulaski will use an instrument, sometimes a soft-tissue laser, to release the tight piece of soft tissue, enabling the tongue (or lip) to move freely.
The procedure is relatively quick, and many times babies are able to feed immediately following the procedure, which often results in an immediate improvement in feeding. For older children, this can also help with speech and eating habits, but may take some time and practice with a speech therapist to achieve the optimal results.
Tongue Tie and Buccal Frenum Release Near You
If you are worried about your child, it is best to have your child evaluated by a professional with experience in these issues. A dentist near you who is trained in children’s dentistry is a great place to start. They will be able to evaluate the problem and explain their options moving forward.
First and foremost, remember that early treatment can make a world of difference when assessing your child’s comfort and development. If you have identified any of the signs mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist near you to find out if your child would benefit from tongue tie and buccal frenum release in Pulaski.
Get Tongue Tie and Buccal Frenum Release Near You for Better Speech!
If your child struggles in any way with speech, eating, or moving their tongue or cheeks comfortably and freely, you can be aided by Southern Comfort Pediatric Dentistry. Our office uses safe and gentle concepts with tongue tie and buccal frenum release near you. We focus on enhancing your child’s oral function and comfort.
Call our office today to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to help your child speak and eat comfortably!