San Francisco and Marin CA
As parents, we all know that helpless feeling when our babies cry and we don’t know why. Babies can’t communicate with us any other way, and they certainly aren’t born with instruction manuals. But if you feel like your baby’s crying is more frequent than what you think might be normal, you could be onto something. Babies who cry persistently and often inconsolably may have an underlying issue going on. Let’s delve with our San Francisco tongue-tie dentist into what could be causing your baby’s excessive crying.
What is tethered oral tissue (TOT)?
An estimated 10 percent of babies are born with tongue or lip ties.
Let’s look at the difference:
- Tongue-tie — With this condition, the frenulum (the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too short or tight, impeding the tongue’s range of motion.
- Lip-tie — Similar to a tongue-tie, but this involves the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum. If it’s too tight, it limits the lip’s ability to move properly.
How do I know if my baby has TOT?
Tethered oral tissue, itself, isn’t painful. Babies with tongue or lip ties cry more than average because they’re frustrated. These ties usually present themselves in the following ways:
- Difficulty breastfeeding — Babies with TOT may struggle to latch properly during breastfeeding, leading to inadequate milk intake and frustration for both Baby and Mom.
- Failure to thrive — Due to feeding difficulties, babies with TOT may not gain weight as expected.
- Excessive fussiness and crying — The discomfort and frustration associated with feeding challenges can result in prolonged crying and irritability.
How is TOT treated?
Our pediatric dentist in Marin can diagnose tongue-ties and lip-ties through a non-invasive physical examination. In the event your child has tethered oral tissue, our dentist will usually recommend a simple and quick procedure called a frenectomy, which releases the tongue tie. This can significantly improve your baby’s ability to nurse and eliminate the associated frustration and fussiness.
Tongue-tie release in the Bay Area
Identifying and addressing your baby’s tongue or lip tie will improve your baby’s comfort and well-being, which leads to more peace of mind for you. If you suspect your baby has tethered oral tissue, call Glen Park Dental at (415) 799-3900 or reach out to us online today.
