Watching your baby grow up can be an exciting time, especially as they begin to experience new things. One of the most pivotal moments in the transition from baby food to solids. Which ones will they like? How much should they receive? How small do I need to cut up the pieces so they don’t choke? These questions are completely normal, but some parents may wonder if their child’s lip or tongue-tie will interfere with this new meal plan. Keep reading to learn how a frenectomy can ease the struggle and allow your little one to try all kinds of new and exciting foods.
How Can a Lip or Tongue-Tie Affect Eating Habits?
When it comes to your baby’s lip or tongue-tie, you may or may not have experienced difficulties with nursing or bottle-feeding. While most infants with restricted frenulums exhibit some sort of struggle during the initial weeks of life, others may not develop problems until a bit later.
It is possible that eating may become more of a challenge when it’s time to transition from soft baby foods to solid ones, as the tongue’s movement is required to push food toward the back of the mouth for consumption.
As a result, when the restricted band of tissues cannot adequately move, your child may begin to express frustration as a result of their inability to eat.
Some of the potential problems that can occur as a result include:
- Poor weight gain
- Children wanting to eat only foods that do not require extensive lip or tongue movements (these foods can often be unhealthy)
- Persistent gagging and choking
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- And more
What Can Be Done to Improve a Lip or Tongue-Tie?
Although your child may be a little bit older, it is possible to treat the issue with a frenectomy. This process involves releasing the banded tissues so that the lip and/or tongue move freely from side to side as well as up and down and in and out.
The quick and easy procedure creates an easier way for your little one to explore all types of foods, lowering the potential of having picky eaters.
Should your child’s pediatric dentist recommend a frenectomy, you can trust that the results you and your son or daughter will experience will be successful, allowing for a more positive transition to solid foods.
Your child’s lip or tongue-tie does not have to continue hindering their eating habits. By talking to their pediatric dentist, you can step your little one up for a more successful and enjoyable future, especially when it comes to food.
About the Author
Dr. Meghan Thorburn is a pediatric dentist who completed dental school at UT Houston. With nearly a decade of experience, she enjoys helping young patients enjoy healthier teeth and gums. When a parent arrives with a child who has a lip or tongue-tie, she and her team at Trinity Pediatric Dentistry can recommend frenectomies to alleviate the struggle restricted bands of tissue can cause, such as eating solid foods. Visit our website or call (682) 207-6390 to learn how we can help.