Frenectomy / Tongue-Tie Treatment
Set Your Little One Up For Success
Help Your Child's Oral Function With Tongue-Tie Treatment in Lafayette
If you've noticed that your child has trouble chewing, forming certain sounds, or has a thick band of tissue between their tongue and the floor of their mouth, they may benefit from tongue-tie treatment in Lafayette. Dr. Keene can free this restricted tissue with a simple procedure called a frenectomy.
This treatment can help your child chew and eat more easily while supporting normal speech development and clearer communication as they grow older. It may also improve their self-image, helping them feel more comfortable making new friends. Give your child the help they need with treatment from Keene Smiles.
Improve Your Child's Comfort & Communication
Treatment for tongue-tie helps remove restrictions that interfere with your child's eating and speaking. By releasing tight tissue, Dr. Keene helps support proper oral function and development. Early treatment can make everyday activities easier for your child while helping them feel more comfortable as they grow.
Easier Eating
Releasing the tongue allows your child to chew, swallow, and manage foods more comfortably.
Clearer Speech
Improved tongue movement supports proper sound formation and helps reduce future speech challenges.
Better Communication
Greater tongue flexibility makes it easier for your child to speak clearly and express themselves.
Increased Confidence
Improved function and speech can help your child feel more confident socially and emotionally.
Healthier Development
Proper tongue movement supports normal oral growth and coordination during development.
Quick Recovery
The frenectomy procedure is simple, gentle, and allows children to return to normal activities quickly.
Your Child Will Get a Quick & Easy Tongue-Tie Procedure
As a parent, you naturally want what's best for your child. Whether it's providing them with nutritious food, good schools, or a safe and secure home, you make sure they have all they need to be happy and successful. Your child's oral health is also important. Making sure they get dental cleanings and exams twice a year goes a long way toward helping them enjoy a healthy smile for life.
However, some children are born with a condition known as tongue-tie. With this condition, your child's tongue is tethered to the bottom of their mouth by a band of tissue known as the frenulum. As a baby, it can make it difficult for them to nurse. As they get older, it can interfere with their everyday lives and make them self-conscious when talking and eating.
Taking care of a tongue-tie condition is relatively simple:
- We can offer child-safe laughing gas to keep your child calm and relaxed.
- Dr. Keene will either snip the frenulum or use a laser to gently separate the tongue from its tether.
- With either approach, there is minimal discomfort and your child will heal quickly.
Following the procedure, your child has greater control over their tongue. This makes eating and talking easier. They will no longer worry about embarrassment caused by their tongue-tie condition.
We can also help with a lip-tie, where a band of tissue between the lower lip and gums restricts the movement of the lip.
Reach out to Keene Smiles today for more information about tongue-tie treatment in Lafayette.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue-Tie Treatment
What is tongue-tie, and how can it affect my child?
Tongue-tie occurs when a thick or tight band of tissue restricts tongue movement. This can affect chewing, swallowing, speech development, and oral comfort. In some children, it may also impact confidence and communication. Identifying tongue-tie early allows Dr. Keene to recommend timely treatment and support your child's healthy development.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple procedure that releases the tight tissue causing tongue restriction. We carefully remove or loosen the band to improve your child's tongue mobility. The procedure is quick and gentle, helping restore normal function so that your child can eat, speak, and move their tongue more comfortably.
Is tongue-tie treatment painful for children?
Tongue-tie treatment is typically well tolerated by children. The procedure is quick, and discomfort is usually minimal. Dr. Keene focuses on keeping your child calm and comfortable throughout treatment. Most children recover quickly and return to normal eating and speaking activities within a short time.