You expected breastfeeding to feel natural. But instead, you’re dealing with a baby who can’t seem to latch well, makes clicking sounds while feeding, or seems hungry all the time. Your nipples are sore. You’re exhausted. And you can’t figure out what’s wrong. We hear this story often at Bloom Dental. And many times, the answer is something parents don’t expect: a tongue-tie or lip-tie.
What Exactly Is a Tongue-Tie?
A tongue-tie happens when a small piece of tissue called the frenulum is too tight or too short. This tissue connects the bottom of your baby’s tongue to the floor of their mouth. When it’s restrictive, the tongue can’t move freely.
A lip-tie is similar, but it affects the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums. Neither condition is rare. In fact, tongue-tie affects up to 10% of newborns. The good news is that it’s also very treatable.
Signs to Watch For
Not every tongue-tie requires treatment. But when it interferes with feeding, speech, or growth, it’s time to take a closer look.
In infants, common signs include:
- Trouble latching or staying latched
- Clicking noises while nursing
- Poor weight gain
- Gassiness from swallowing too much air
- A heart-shaped or notched tongue tip
In older children, a tongue-tie might show up as:
- Difficulty sticking out the tongue
- Trouble licking an ice cream cone or moving food around
- Speech difficulties with certain sounds (like t, d, or l)
- A gap between the two front teeth (from a lip-tie)
The Laser Difference at Bloom Dental
If your child does need treatment, you might feel nervous. No parent wants to watch their baby go through a procedure. Here’s what puts our parents at ease: we use dental lasers, not scalpels.
Laser treatment for a tongue-tie or lip-tie is quiet, precise, and gentle. The laser releases the tight tissue in seconds. There’s very little bleeding, no stitches, and most babies calm down almost immediately afterward. Many can nurse right away.
Dr. Shayota has extensive training with dental lasers, and our boutique-style office is designed to help both you and your child feel safe and comfortable. The waiting room feels like a living room. There’s no cold, clinical atmosphere here.
What Happens After Treatment
Healing is usually quick. Dr. Shayota will show you simple stretches to do at home for a few weeks. These stretches help prevent the tissue from reattaching as it heals.
Most parents notice a difference in feeding within days. Babies who struggled to latch suddenly nurse more easily. Weight gain improves. And those frustrating, painful feedings become much more peaceful. For older children, speech and tongue mobility often improve gradually over time.
Should You Have Your Child Evaluated?
If you’ve been wondering whether your baby’s feeding difficulties are normal, trust your gut. You don’t need a referral to schedule a consultation at Bloom Dental. Dr. Shayota can take a quick, painless look and give you an honest answer about whether treatment would help.
Parents in Bingham Farms, Franklin, Bloomfield Hills, and the surrounding areas have brought their youngest family members to us for this very reason. We’d love to help your child, too. Give us a call. A few minutes with Dr. Shayota could make all the difference for your baby’s feeding, growth, and comfort.