Tongue-ties & Lip-ties
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Achieve a more efficient way to help breastfeed your newborn!
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We utilise the latest technology to make the procedure as efficient, accessible and pain-free as possible
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What are tongue-ties and lip-ties?
Tongue-ties and lip-ties happen when the fraenum (soft tissue attaching the lip and tongue to the gums) is too short or restricts the range of motion for the lip or tongue in some way.
When this happens babies are unable to latch on properly because they cannot form the correct mouth shape. They may also have trouble swallowing and breathing as the tongue plays a crucial part in this movement.
What are the symptoms of tongue-ties and lip-ties?
While this condition may be difficult to diagnose for the untrained eye, there are some symptoms to look out for. These include:
- Colic or reflux in excess
- Difficulty latching
- A gassy baby
- Poor weight gain
- Discomfort or pain for the mother during feeding
- Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples
Mother’s Symptoms of the Infant’s Tongue Tie
Breastfeeding mothers often act as the first indicators of an infant’s lip and tongue tie. When a baby has this condition, it can impact their ability to latch properly and breastfeed efficiently.
As a result, mothers may experience specific symptoms, such as:.
- Painful breastfeeding
- Flattened or damaged nipples
- Recurrent mastitis or blocked ducts
- Low milk supply
- Exhaustion, caused by the baby’s frequent and prolonged feeds
If a breastfeeding mother is experiencing these signs, it might be beneficial to have the baby assessed for tongue tie by a member of our team at Aesthetic Laser Dentistry.
Symptoms in Toddlers, Children and Adults for Tongue Tie
If you notice any of the following symptoms, consult Aesthetic Laser Dentistry for assessment and potential treatment.
Toddlers:
- Difficulty in extending the tongue past the lower front teeth.
- Trouble with certain tongue movements, like licking the lips.
- Speech difficulties, especially with sounds like “t”, “d”, “z”, “s”, “th”, and “r”.
- A gap or space between the lower front teeth.
Children:
- Speech impediments or unclear speech.
- Difficulty in moving the tongue in all directions.
- Difficulty in licking an ice cream cone or lollipop.
- Trouble eating without making a mess.
- Mouth breathing or snoring due to restricted tongue movement.
Adults:
- Difficulty in sticking out the tongue fully.
- Challenges with certain oral activities, like kissing or playing a wind instrument.
- Dental issues, such as increased tooth decay or gum disease, due to difficulty in cleaning the mouth with the tongue.
- Discomfort or strain in the jaw, neck, or shoulders.
- Speech difficulties persisting from childhood.
What are the treatment options for tongue and lip-ties?
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we remove the ties using our special soft-tissue laser. This ensures that the wound heals efficiently without the need for stitches. The wound will be automatically sealed and the treatment will be completed quickly with minimal discomfort.
This treatment will restore the full function of the baby’s lips and tongue meaning they will be able to latch on properly, feed properly and will reduce all of the difficulties associated with this condition. This means no more feeding every 2 hours because your baby cannot get enough milk in each feed, no more discomfort from feeding and no more gassy, colicky baby.
This treatment can only be performed on babies up to about 9 months of age. After this, general anaesthetic will need to be used and the treatment becomes considerably more complicated.
We recommend making an appointment to have your baby assessed if you have any concerns at all. We will need a referral from your lactation consultant, maternal health nurse or doctor. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and treating this condition as soon as possible will mean a happier, more fulfilled baby sooner.
Healing and Recovery
Recovering from a tongue-tie procedure is not an instantaneous process. You will need time, patience, and attentive medical attention. After all, the post-operative phase is just as critical as the operation itself.
Pain Relief
Post-operative pain is a natural occurrence after undergoing a frenectomy (an oral surgery procedure that treats tongue-ties). To manage this pain, you may take over-the-counter pain relief medications. Parents of infants who’ve had the procedure can also give the little ones a cold teething ring or a numbing gel.
Healing exercises
Healing exercises are vital to prevent the reattachment of the frenulum, the tissue that causes tongue-tie. Recommended exercises typically involve gentle stretches and movements to maintain the tongue’s new range.
For babies, parents can encourage their infants to lift their tongues or move them from side to side. Using a clean finger to massage the area under the baby’s tongue can also help.
Tongue mobility
To enhance tongue mobility, try the following:
- Touching the roof of the mouth with the tip of the tongue
- Sticking the tongue out as far as possible
- Touching the corners of the mouth.
- Mimicking speech therapy exercises involving tongue movements
Does the condition only affect babies?
If the condition is not treated in infancy it may continue through childhood into adulthood. In days gone by, we would generally only notice the problem around the age of 2-4 when the child came in for their first appointment or even later when they came to receive orthodontic treatment. This was because as dentists we don’t generally see newborns as they haven’t developed any teeth! Thankfully, with the increasing awareness of these concerns, we have been able to team up with lactation consultants to tackle this condition together.
Occasionally some of our adult patients present with similar issues. Living with this condition can be considerably uncomfortable for speech, eating and drinking as well as the development of teeth.
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1.
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There is nothing but smiles from both our lovely staff and patients inside the Aesthetic Laser Dentistry practice. We promote a healthy and comfortable atmosphere throughout our dental clinic
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3.
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Testimonials
Patient Stories
We love our patients, and we are happy to hear that they love us just as much!
Thank you so much for having me in today Dr James! The team was amazing, they made feel sooo comfortable and my teeth are normal super sensitive so honestly a 10/10 experience. Be sure to check them out!!
I have never been a huge fan of going to the dentist but James made me feel incredibly comfortable throughout the whole procedure. It was relaxed and I never felt rushed. I am glad I have found a dentist I can connect with and I'll definitely be coming back for my check-ups.
So thrilled with my experience with Dr James. He is a perfectionist and made sure I was completely happy with my new veneers. I broke my 2 front teeth when I was 8yrs and no one has ever been able to make them natural until now. They are just perfect and I have so much more confidence. The staff are all so lovely and caring, I honestly couldn’t recommend these guys enough!
Had an amazing experience at this dentistry. The staff were very friendly and Dr James was polite, detailed with explaining what was happening and made me feel very comfortable, regardless of my fear of visiting the dentist. I will definitely be using this place as my local dentist from now on.
I have been to quite a few dental clinics in my lifetime and can admit to being fussy at times, however at last I can finally say ive found a clinic that I would be more than happy to go back too. My experience with Dr James B was phenomenal, I was treated with care, respect and professionalism. Ive been to plenty of dentists before and its simply been a chore for both me and them (I wont name names), giving no real reason to go back to the same dentist. Dr James has been the first dentist to show an interest in me as a patient and as a person, taking me through every step of the plan and procedure I had to undergo.
My son is a little anxious boy and was really scared to go to the dentist. Dr T was amazing with him and took special care to keep him comfortable. I would highly recommend Dr T to anyone who is nervous about seeing a dentist. The best experience.
What an experience. Met Dr Philip Hand to see my child, what an amazing person, been through so many doctors that would just be like you had a bad luck, for the condition of your child, nobody cares. Without even explaining of my daughter condition, he offered his help and handful of best contacts in Melbourne to help me and my girl. He is not only the best dentist he has the hands to help others. Thank you God for meeting a Doctor like Philip Hand, my self Aneta and Aurora will be forever grateful
Amazing cosmetic dental practice, couldn't ask for more! Dream smile and lips achieved
After my MCHN suspected the cause of my son's breastfeeding issues was a tongue and upper lip tie, I went to see Dr. Philip Hand. He was one of the more reasonably priced dentists for this procedure. He was very friendly and put me at ease right away. He took the time to examine my son thoroughly and had a great manner with him. He obviously does his job properly and is not just out to get money, as he told me that neither tie was significant enough to warrant cutting. He noticed tightness around his facial muscles, though, and referred me to an oesteopath who has managed to solve the issue. This dentist knows his stuff, is friendly, and if it hadn't been for him, my son would not be feeding properly. Highly recommend him.
A passionate team
Meet Our Professionals
Aesthetic Laser Dentistry have a passionate team of dentists, oral health therapists/hygienists and dental nurses who are dedicated and experienced in their role.
Your smile is an investment worth putting your trust into our patient-focused dental team. We will ensure your smile makeover journey and beyond is a relaxing experience with our caring staff who look forward to meeting you at our Melbourne clinic
James B
Principal Dentist
Karen Clark
Dental Hygienist
Philip Hand
Principal Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we recognise that the diagnosis of lip and tongue-tie can sometimes be a subject of discussion among healthcare providers. The identification and diagnosis of tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) differs among professionals for several reasons:
- Different knowledge levels
- Varied opinions on impact
- Various signs and symptoms
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we utilise advanced techniques and adopt a comprehensive approach to evaluate tongue-tie and its potential effects on oral and overall health. We believe in a team-based approach and often suggest seeking views from multiple specialists.
Our recommendation for bodywork, such as Chiropractic, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Cranio-Sacral Therapy, before the release procedure is rooted in a holistic approach to patient care. We want to keep the patient’s body in the best possible state to benefit fully from the buccal, lip and tongue-tie release.
While it’s not mandatory, seeing a lactation consultant post-procedure is vital to ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and child. At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we believe in a multidisciplinary approach to care, and lactation consultants play a crucial role in the post-procedure of buccal, lip and tongue-ties in children.
The tongue-tie release procedure is typically quick, but the exact duration can vary based on individual circumstances. You can expect the entire appointment – from assessment to post-procedure care – to last approximately 30-45 minutes.
However, it’s essential to understand that each patient is unique, and factors such as the severity of the tongue-tie, the patient’s age, and their level of comfort can influence the procedure’s duration.
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, we prioritise patient safety and ensure that all procedures are conducted with the utmost care. However, like any medical procedure, tongue-tie releases have inherent risks. Here are some potential risks:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Incomplete release
- Pain and discomfort at the site
At Aesthetic Laser Dentistry, ensuring our patients are well-prepared and informed is paramount. If you or a family member is preparing for a tongue-tie procedure, here’s a guideline on how to best prepare:
- Consultation: Book an appointment to discuss if the procedure is necessary.
- Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss well to reduce infection risks.
- Eating: Adults and older children should eat lightly a few hours before.
- Dress: Ensure infants wear comfortable and easy-to-remove clothing.
- Pain Management: Have pain relief ready for after the procedure. Follow dosage guidelines.
- Stay Calm: Being relaxed helps, especially with children.
- Ask Questions: If unsure about anything, just ask.
- Bodywork: See professionals like chiropractors if our dentist suggests it.
- Arrival: Come a little early on the procedure day.
- Aftercare: For babies, plan a feed right after to check and soothe.
We understand the importance of comfort and support during medical procedures. You are welcome to be in the room during the procedure. We believe that a familiar presence can be calming, especially for younger patients.
Our experienced team has performed numerous cheek, lip and tongue-tie procedures over the years. We ensure each procedure is conducted with precision, care, and the highest standard of patient welfare.
In addition to tongue-tie procedures, we also have extensive experience in other aesthetic dental services including gum recontouring and gum depigmentation.
Tongue ties, or ankyloglossia, are not a “fad”. They are a legitimate medical condition with documented evidence spanning decades.
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