Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment – Franklin, TN

we are moms helping moms

If your infant or young child is suffering from lip or tongue tie, they may struggle to do even the most ordinary daily activities. Lip and tongue tie occurs when the frenulum, tissues that connect the tongue and the upper and lower lips to the mouth, create a connection that is too restrictive. From difficulty nursing as infants to struggles with speaking, laughing, and smiling, a constrictive frenum can cause untold concerns for your child’s oral and overall health as well as their well-being and confidence.

Dr. Paige Prather has years of experience working with infants and children who suffer from lip and tongue ties. She is happy to work with nursing mothers whose children have lip or tongue ties and often provides support and guidance to help them. She is also happy to offer a variety of treatments for your child including laser frenectomy, when necessary. Call to schedule your child’s consultation today to find out more about lip and tongue tie treatment in Franklin, TN.

we cater to moms and babies by providing private nurseries for them before and after procedure. Parents also have the opportunity to meet with their chiropractor, lactation consultant, CST, or therapist before and/or after their procedure or post op appointment.

Your child’s lip & tongue-tie is in good highly-trained hands.

What Is a Frenectomy? Why Is It Necessary?

A frenectomy or frenotomy is the surgical procedure used to remove excess frenum tissue and allow the tongue and mouth to move naturally. Frenula are not only present in the mouth. These connective tissues are present throughout the body. Frenula should attach soft tissue together, but when they are too constrictive, the result is impeded movement. In the mouth, these constrictive frenula can cause a number of issues early on. In most cases, people notice lip and tongue tie concerns when breast or bottle feeding. Additionally, nursing mothers who have infants with lip or tongue tie are at increased risk for complications like mastitis, thrush, or blocked ducts. Frenectomy is recommended for those infants who have difficulty feeding, and for older children who struggle with speech, chewing, yawning, and other regular daily activities.

Lip & Tongue Tie Symptoms
for Infants

In addition to difficulty developing natural mouth movement to form words, smile, and laugh, infants with lip or tongue tie may experience a number of other concerns including:

Lip and Tongue Tie Symptoms that May
be Experienced by Mothers

It’s always difficult for parents when we notice our children are struggling with their health. In addition to the stress of this situation and the desire to help our children stay healthy, mothers with infants who suffer from lip or tongue tie may also experience a number of side effects including:

Lip and Tongue Tie Symptoms for Older Children

Many children who suffer from lip or tongue tie may not show any signs of concern as infants. However, as they grow, more concerns can arise. Some of the common side effects of childhood lip and tongue tie include:

Struggles with
chewing & digesting
solid foods

Choking/vomiting
following
eating

Pickier
eating
habits

Impeded speech
development

Diminished
self-confidence
because they may
sound or look
different from
their peers

Struggling
to brush &
floss teeth

Why Does Lip & Tongue Tie Affect Breastfeeding?

Constrictive frenula can impede an infant’s ability to make a successful latch during breast feeding. Severe lip and tongue tie may cause difficulty with pacifiers and bottles as well. Because the infant is not achieving the desired result, milk production, they may increase suction which can be extremely painful for nursing mothers, and your child still may not achieve adequate suction or nourishment while breastfeeding. Additionally, as your child struggles to latch on properly, they will likely swallow more air, and this can lead to digestive issues, excessive gas, and a constant struggle to achieve adequate nutritional levels.

How Is the Frenectomy Performed?

Dr. Prather has spent years helping infants, children, and parents tackle all of the challenges associated with lip and tongue tie. She has advanced training in frenectomy procedures including laser frenectomy.

If we determine your child needs a frenectomy, we’ll take plenty of time to discuss the procedure, how to prepare your infant or child for it, and how to care for them following treatment. The procedure itself is performed with a laser rather than traditional scalpel and suture technique. Dr. Prather has made a name for herself as the go-to frenectomy provider in the area because her skilled laser technique allows your child to get the care they need with less discomfort, faster healing time, and significantly decreased risk for reinfection. Following your infant’s frenectomy, Dr. Prather is also happy to work with you to establish a successful breastfeeding routine.

#1 most experienced lip and tongue tie provider in Tennessee

Your story is my story

Dr. Prather can personally identify with the worried parents who come to see her because both of her sons had lip and tongue-ties, and she ended up treating them using the same procedure that she offers in her specialty dental office. So, when she says that she treats her patients like family, she is being literal!

WHAT MAKES DR. PAIGE PRATHER LIP & TONGUE-TIE SOLUTIONS UNIQUE?

WE LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE

Lip & tongue-ties affect more than just the mouth, and Dr. Prather always takes this into account when performing exams and frenectomies.

NOT A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION

Your child is unique, so their treatment should be as well. Every frenectomy is customized for each patient to deliver the best possible result and experience.

WIDE NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS

Dr. Prather works closely with several local pediatricians, lactation consultants, and speech therapists to ensure her patients get exactly what they need.

MODERN, SAFE & WELCOMING DENTAL OFFICE

Children and parents alike feel like they are right at home in our dental office thanks to our friendly team and warm atmosphere.

We love our patients!

For me, dental care has been the hardest medical service to always keep up to date. Its so easy to put off until next year! I was referred to Dr Prather years ago by my optometrist. I have not always kept up with my dental needs as regularly as I should, but each time I return whether for a cleaning or something more extensive, I receive a warm and welcoming greeting. I always receive excellent services from the dental hygienist to the doctor!

Jacque K.

Paige Prather is highly praised in our home! She took my little failure to thrive baby who could hardly eat at all and by fixing all of his tongue, lip, and cheek ties she helped him be able to eat and gain weight! We are so thankful for how they held our hands through the whole process that was so foreign and new. Highly recommend!

JoyAnna M.

I have been seeing Dr Prather for many years and she is extremely thorough, knowledgeable, compassionate and highly concerned and invested in the dental care for her patients. I saw her today for a tooth extraction ... the initial phase of a tooth implant. I highly recommend her and am extremely pleased with the care I received!

Ramona E.

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