A tongue tie or lip tie is associated with a failure to thrive in infants. Difficulty latching during breastfeeding can interfere with a growing child’s nutritional needs during a pivotal development phase. While this condition is often associated with infants, untreated tongue ties and lip ties can cause problems with speech, eating, drinking, breathing during sleep, and other functions in adults. Regardless of your child’s age or stage in life, treatment is available to release these tissues and support healthy function. Gateway Oral Health Center is well-equipped to be the answer in your search for a “tongue tie dentist near me in St. George, Utah.” We can support healthy development and/or restore proper chewing and other functions with effective frenectomy treatment in the following four steps.

1 – Consultation

Oral anatomy can change considerably as part of the aging process. Sometimes, tongue ties and lip ties resolve on their own without intervention. Treatment recommendations are, in turn, largely based on how these overly-tight, too-short, or improperly-positioned tissues that connect to the lips and tongue affect the patient. If your child’s basic function is affected and their normal development is threatened, they are a candidate for a procedure called frenectomy. Likewise, if your speech never developed normally and you have developed behaviors to compensate for imbalances caused by a tongue tie or lip tie, you, as an adult, may benefit from frenectomy.

2 – Treatment

The specific techniques that Drs. Bryce Eagar, Matthew Geddes, and Andy Mohlman use depend on your needs. A topical pain reliever may be applied to numb the area and ensure utmost comfort during treatment. The problematic tissue is then released—removed, or adjusted—to support healthy, proper movement and function of the tongue and lips. A more complex or severe tie may require a few stitches to close the opening made to access the problematic tissue. The process generally takes less than 15 minutes.

3 – Recovery

We will provide you with clear and thorough instructions for care. It should be noted that our adult patients may require a longer recovery time than our pediatric patients. All patients need to keep the treated areas clean. Foods should also be limited for a few days. The food can become trapped at the site, increasing your risk of infection. Antibiotic therapy may be prescribed to prevent infections and minimize other complications. As the area heals, it will begin to scar over. There are no activity restrictions otherwise associated with these procedures.

4 – Exercises

As you heal, it is important to perform “physical therapy.” We will advise on special exercises, stretches, and massages to help with healing. It is also important to repeat these exercises each day as instructed by your dentist. Do not be concerned about areas that may feel soft and appear white or colored. This is a normal healing response. You should continue to perform exercises (for your child or yourself as applicable). For continued improvement, myofunctional and/or speech therapy may complement the frenectomy procedure. These therapies help to “re-train” the muscles, resolve compensatory behaviors, and re-establish the new patterns that support proper chewing, swallowing, speech, and breathing.

If you are concerned about your child’s growth or if an untreated tongue/lip tie is standing between you and your best health, speak with a member of our team in St. George, UT, today. Gateway Oral Health Center may be reached at (435) 656-0255.

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