5 Notable Benefits of Infant Tongue Tie Release

If your newborn is having trouble latching onto your breast during feeding, it could be due to a tongue tie. This condition arises when the tissue in the mouth that connects your baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth (the lingual frenulum) is too tight or short, restricting tongue movement. At Champlain Smile Solutions, we offer a permanent solution for this condition through a procedure called an infant tongue-tie release. Your South Burlington, Vermont dentist will snip the lingual frenulum (or dissolve it with a laser) to release the tongue so it can move about freely. 

Here are some of the benefits of infant tongue tie release:

1. Improved Breastfeeding and Eating  

Tongue-tie release simplifies breastfeeding for your newborn by making latching on much easier. Your little one will get the nourishment he needs, and you can have a more comfortable, stress-free breastfeeding experience. In older children, a tongue tie release procedure can improve chewing and swallowing, so your child can eat a wider variety of foods. Better chewing will enhance your child’s digestion, allowing him to get more nutritional value from his meals. 

2. Proper Speech Development

Your tongue works in conjunction with your teeth and lips to clearly sound out words. Children with tongue tie will have a harder time pronouncing certain words, especially if they contain the letters “d”, “l”, “r”, and “t.” This can make communicating with others a frustrating experience. Tongue-tie release can improve speech clarity, helping your child develop strong communication skills.  

3. Better Oral Hygiene 

Releasing the tongue can help children develop better oral hygiene habits by giving them greater freedom to clean and floss their teeth. Good brushing and flossing habits are the foundation for developing strong, healthy teeth. Tongue-tie release also facilitates dental cleanings, further reducing your child’s risk of cavities.

4. Fewer Alignment Issues

A tongue-tie condition can affect the alignment of your child’s teeth as they start to come in. Tongue tie keeps the tongue from resting on the roof of your child’s mouth, which can impair the proper development of the child’s jaw. Over time, this can lead to problems with malocclusion or gaps developing between your child’s lower front teeth. Taking care of this problem early could save you the cost of orthodontic treatment later down the line.

5. Quality Sleep 

Did you know that tongue tie can affect the quality of your child’s sleep? With restricted mobility, it’s possible the tongue could block your child’s airways while he sleeps, impairing his breathing. Your child may wake up frequently during the night, gasping for breath, which can cause him to lose quality sleep. A tongue tie release can remedy this problem, enabling your child to get the rest he needs. 

Infant Tongue Tie Solution Near Me

You can learn more about tongue-tie release treatment in South Burlington, VT, by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Matthew or Kay Giulianelli at Champlain Smile Solutions. Contact us at (802) 899-9486 for all your family’s dental care needs.

Share this Article