San Francisco and Marin CA
Meeting a newborn baby after carrying the bundle of joy for nine months is the moment all mothers look forward to, but no one can prepare a woman for the ups and downs of being a new mom. On top of that, when breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned — when a baby can’t latch well or seems to always stay hungry — a mother can grow so overwhelmed and frustrated that she gives up trying to breastfeed. But what many don’t realize is there could be an underlying issue going on that, thankfully, can be quickly and easily corrected. Follow along today as our family dentist in San Francisco who specializes in tongue-tie releases shares what could be behind your baby’s persistent fussiness, the developmental issues it could cause and what we can do to help.
What is tethered oral tissue?
- A tongue-tie (also called ankyloglossia) is when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or short.
- A lip-tie is when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum is too tight or short.
These conditions restrict movement of the tongue and/or lip, which interferes with a baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively, leading to feeding difficulties and other developmental complications.
What are signs of tethered oral tissue in infants?
When infants aren’t happy, their only tool to communicate with adults is crying.
If you notice your baby is having trouble latching or breastfeeding, look for the following signs of tethered oral tissue:
- Frequent hunger
- Gasping for air while nursing
- Drooling, gumming or chewing while nursing
- Gassiness, hiccups or fussiness
- Colic
- Poor weight gain
- Extended feeding times
Breastfeeding moms can also show signs that their baby possibly has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, including:
- Nipple damage
- Breasts that are consistently still full of milk after nursing
- Pain in the breasts or mastitis
- Lack of sleep because Baby is always fussy
- Low milk supply
What’s the connection between tethered oral tissue and postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional and behavioral changes that occur in a mother after she gives birth.
When a baby can’t or won’t breastfeed, this only intensifies the feelings that are associated with postpartum depression, potentially causing:
- Increased stress and anxiety — If you’re constantly worried about your baby’s nutrition and health and you’re also in physical pain from breastfeeding, it can lead to frustration and heightened stress levels in a new mother.
- Sleep deprivation — Feeding difficulties often result in longer, more frequent feedings. This leaves new mothers exhausted and sleep-deprived, which are both significant risk factors for postpartum depression.
- Feelings of failure — The inability to breastfeed successfully can make mothers feel like they are failing at one of their primary responsibilities, which could lead to low self-esteem and depression.
How is tethered oral tissue treated?
Our Marin pediatric dentist can determine if your child has tethered oral tissue through a simple, noninvasive exam. If it’s confirmed that your child has a tongue- or lip-tie, we most often recommend a simple procedure called a frenectomy or frenotomy, which releases the tight tissue by cutting the restrictive frenulum. This procedure, often called a tongue-tie release or lip-tie release, can be performed quickly and with minimal discomfort, especially in infants. Depending on the age of your child, we may also recommend myofunctional therapy — physical therapy of the mouth and tongue — and possibly therapy with a speech or feeding specialist to ensure proper tongue function and alleviate any related issues.
Tongue-tie release in the Bay Area
If your baby is having trouble breastfeeding or seems to be fussy or cry more than you’re comfortable with, let our family dentist at Glen Park Dental give you the support you need. If your child has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, it’s best to treat it early so that Baby’s nursing and digestive health can be almost immediately improved and, as a new mom, you can have peace of mind. This will lead to a better quality of life for both mother and baby. Contact us today at (415) 799-3900 or reach out to us online so we can schedule an appointment.
