Soft Tissue Laser Therapy
Soft Tissue Laser Therapy for Babies & Kids in Peachtree City, GA
Peachtree Pediatric Dentistry evaluates and treats tongue ties (ankyloglossia) and lip ties for infants, children, and teens in Peachtree City, GA, serving families across Fayette and Coweta counties. There are many different signs and symptoms of a tongue or lip tie, all of which can be evaluated by a pediatric dentist. Dr. Eric Mobley and Dr. Kiersten Pannell see babies as young as a few days old. Call 770-486-0054 to schedule an evaluation.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) happens when the band of tissue under the tongue, called the lingual frenulum, is too short, too tight, or attached too far forward, restricting how the tongue moves. A lip tie is a condition in which the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums is too thick or tight, restricting lip movement, which can affect feeding, oral hygiene and dental development.
Some ties cause no trouble at all. Others make feeding, breathing, and certain speech sounds harder than they need to be. Lip ties cause problems less often on their own, so we evaluate both the same way: by how they function, not how they look.
Signs Your Baby or Child May Have a Tongue Tie
In babies, the signs usually show up at feeding time:
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Trouble latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, or a latch that keeps slipping
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Clicking sounds while feeding
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Long, exhausting feedings followed by hunger soon after
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Poor weight gain
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Painful nursing for mom
If nursing hurts or your baby can't stay latched, you're not doing anything wrong. Some ties are easy to spot, but a posterior tongue tie sits farther back under the tongue and can be missed without a function-based exam.
In toddlers and older kids, watch for:
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Sleep disordered breathing, such as mouth breathing or snoring
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Speech difficulties
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Difficulty moving food around the mouth, or slow, picky eating
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A tongue that can't lift to the roof of the mouth or stick out past the lower front teeth
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A notched or heart-shaped tongue tip
Keep in mind that many speech sounds develop late in perfectly typical kids, and one or two signs on their own don't always mean a tie. An exam, sometimes alongside a speech-language evaluation, sorts it out.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy (you'll also hear the term “tongue tie release”) is a brief in-office procedure that releases the restrictive tissue so the tongue or lip can move freely. We perform infant frenectomies as early as the first days of life, and we treat toddlers, older kids, and teens too.
The release itself typically takes only a few minutes. We use comfort measures suited to your child's age, with numbing when it's appropriate. Most babies nurse or take a bottle within minutes of the release, which comforts them and helps healing begin. Ask us about the technique we use and what to expect for your child's age.
Dr. Kiersten Pannell explains tongue ties and what happens during a release
What to Expect at Your Child's Appointment
First, the exam. It's gentle, done with gloved hands, and your baby stays in your arms. We look at how the tongue and lip actually move and function, not just how the tie looks, and we ask about feeding, speech, and sleep habits.
Then, an honest answer. Not every tie needs treatment. For feeding concerns, we may suggest working with a lactation consultant first, since many latch problems improve without a procedure. For speech concerns, a release removes a physical restriction, but it doesn't replace speech therapy, and we'll coordinate with your child's therapist so the timing actually helps. If a release makes sense, we'll explain why. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too, and point you toward what to check next.
For older children and teens, we'll walk through what the procedure involves at their age and whether therapy before or after will help them get the most from it.
Frenectomy Aftercare: Stretches and Healing
After a release, you'll get simple stretching exercises to do at home. They take under a minute and lower the chance the tissue reattaches while it heals. We know the stretches are the part parents worry about most, so we demonstrate them in the office before you leave and go over exactly what's normal.
Speaking of normal: the healing site forms a white or yellow patch that looks alarming and isn't. It's simply how this tissue heals. Expect a few unsettled days, then steady improvement. We'll check the site at a short follow-up visit.
Why Families Choose a Pediatric Dentist for Tongue Tie Treatment
Pediatric dentists complete two to three years of specialty training after dental school, focused entirely on infants, children, and teens. That means an office where a newborn's exam is calm, a toddler's wiggles are expected, and a nervous 8-year-old gets the time they need. Families visit us from Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Tyrone, Senoia, Sharpsburg, Newnan, and across Fayette and Coweta counties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue Ties
How do I know if my baby has a tongue tie?
Common signs include trouble latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, clicking sounds while feeding, long or exhausting feedings, poor weight gain, and nipple pain for mom. In older kids, watch for a sleep disordered breathing, speech issues, trouble moving food around the mouth, or a tongue that can't reach the roof of the mouth. The only way to know for sure is a function-based exam. Call our Peachtree City office at 770-486-0054 to schedule an evaluation.
At what age can a baby have a frenectomy?
A frenectomy can be performed at almost any age, including on newborns just days old. When a tongue tie is interfering with feeding, earlier treatment often means an easier procedure and a faster return to comfortable nursing. Dr. Mobley and Dr. Pannell will examine your child and tell you honestly whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all.
Is a frenectomy painful for babies or kids?
The procedure takes only a few minutes, and we use comfort measures suited to your child's age, with numbing when it's appropriate. Most babies can feed right after the release, and many parents are surprised by how quickly their child settles. Some fussiness during the first few days of healing is normal, and we'll send you home knowing exactly what to expect.
Will a frenectomy help my baby breastfeed better?
When feeding problems are caused by a restrictive tongue tie, releasing it can improve latch, reduce nipple pain, and make feedings shorter and calmer. Not every feeding problem is a tie, though, which is why we start with a function-based exam and often work alongside your lactation consultant before and after treatment.
How much does a frenectomy cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Cost depends on what the exam finds and your child's age. While most dental insurance plans do not cover a frenectomy due to the tie being considered a “congenital anomaly,” some medical plans cover a frenectomy when it's needed for feeding or function. Our team will verify your benefits and give you the cost before any treatment happens, so there are no surprises.
Can a tongue tie grow back after a frenectomy?
The released tissue can partially reattach as it heals. That's why we send every family home with simple stretching exercises and check the site at a follow-up visit. If reattachment does happen, it's treatable. Following the aftercare routine for the first few weeks gives your child the best odds of healing well.
Where can I get my child's tongue tie evaluated near Fayetteville or Newnan, GA?
Peachtree Pediatric Dentistry evaluates and treats tongue ties and lip ties at 310 Stevens Entry in Peachtree City, GA, a short drive from Fayetteville, Tyrone, Senoia, Sharpsburg, and Newnan. If you're looking for an infant frenectomy near Fayette or Coweta County, call 770-486-0054 to schedule your child's evaluation.
Schedule a Tongue Tie Evaluation
Not sure it's a tie? That's exactly what the evaluation is for. Call 770-486-0054 and tell us what you're seeing, no referral needed. Our office is at 310 Stevens Entry in Peachtree City. If treatment isn't needed, we'll tell you that and help you figure out what to look at next.