Being told that your child needs a frenectomy in Pittsburgh might be nerve-wracking at first, but the procedure is very simple. Your dentist simply removes the overly developed tissue that is stopping your little one from moving their lips and/or tongue properly. Greater freedom of movement will help ensure that your child’s oral development proceeds properly. How will you know if a frenectomy is needed? Below are 5 possible warning signs for you to keep an eye out for.
1. Difficulty Eating
When a child is tongue-tied, it can affect their ability to smile. For infants, this can affect their ability to breastfeed. As a result, feeding attempts can result in nipple damage and pain, and your baby most likely won’t get the milk they need. Sometimes this issue corrects itself early in life, but in other cases swallowing issues can persist. It’s generally better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your child’s health and oral development, so get in touch with your dentist in Kittanning if feeding problems occur on a regular basis.
2. Speech Impediments
In order to pronounce certain words as clearly as possible, your child needs to be able to move their tongue freely – something they won’t be able to do if they’re tongue-tied. Take note of any lisping or abnormal speech patterns that your child develops and ask your dentist if a frenectomy can solve the problem.
3. Gap Between the Upper Teeth
When there’s a lip-tie involving the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums, it often results in a gap forming between the upper front teeth. While this is mainly just a cosmetic issue, it can still serve as a warning sign that a frenectomy is warranted.
4. Open Mouth Breathing
Sometimes a lip-tie can stop your child from closing their mouth all the way, which leads to mouth-breathing. This is particularly problematic in younger children who have yet to develop proper nose-breathing habits. If you notice your little one breathing through their mouth too often, you’ll need to intervene quickly.
5. Gum Recession
A tight frenulum can pull on your child’s gum tissue, causing the gum line to recede. When this happens, more of your little one’s teeth are exposed, potentially leaving the roots vulnerable to infection. Gum recession can have multiple causes, so even if you’re not sure that it’s connected to lip-tie, you’ll want your child to be examined as soon as possible.
Has your child been exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above? Get in touch with your dentist today so that they can perform a thorough examination and determine whether a frenectomy in Kittanning is truly necessary for their long-term health.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller is an enthusiastic lecturer who enjoys speaking in front of fellow dental professionals and students about a wide variety of modern dental treatments. His practice, Voller Dentistry, has been bringing quality dental care to Kittanning families since 1981. If your little one is suffering from a lip-tie, tongue-tie, or another dental issue, get in touch with him through his website or by calling (724) 543-4948.