Find Out How To Prevent Your Child From Being Tongue-Tied
May 29, 2017 ABC Children's Dentistry
If your child is having difficulty with talking, swallowing or eating, you may want to consider a frenectomy. Since that’s not a word one normally hears, we’ll talk about it in this issue.
What is a frenectomy?
It may sound scary or intimidating, but a frenectomy is actually quite simple. Basically, a frenectomy releases a bit of tissue in the mouth that can get in the way of normal function.
There are two frenums in our mouths that can get in the way:
- The lingual frenum linking the tongue to the floor of the mouth; and
- The maxillary labial frenum connecting the inside of the upper lip to the gums just above the two top front teeth.
For some of us, the lingual frenum can run the length to the tip of the tongue, which can cause some to become “tongue-tied.”
If a maxillary labial frenum is prominent enough, it may lead to a large gap to occur between the upper two front teeth.
How long does a frenectomy take?
A frenectomy usually takes just a few minutes to complete. The immediate area is numbed and the doctor will simply clip the frenum.
How long does it take to recover from a frenectomy?
Any discomfort from a frenectomy is felt for just a couple of days and the healing is complete within a couple of weeks. There may be slight bleeding, but this should not be of concern.
A gentle salt water rinse is the best course for recovery, and a soft brush for teeth cleaning to remove plaque will most likely not irritate the gums.
To See If Your Child Could Benefit From a Frenectomy, Call ABC Children’s’ Dentistry in San Diego
A frenectomy can be a safe and quick way to remedy your child from being tongue-tied or guard against large gaps. To talk more about it, A frenectomy can be a safe and quick way to remedy your child from being tongue-tied or guard against large gaps. To talk more about it, get in touch with us here at ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego.
Our number is 858-780-9794 or you can reach us online.
