A labial frenum helps to anchor the lip to the jaw for proper movement and facial development. An abnormally tight labial frenulum can disrupt the seal around the breast or bottle nipple, leading to increased air intake contributing to reflux, gas symptoms or breast pain. In toddlerhood, a short or restrictive labial frenulum may affect forming a seal on a straw or cleaning food from a spoon. Brushing may be difficult in the area and could make your child higher risk for tooth decay.
The Lingual frenulum is the name given to the connective tissue remnant under the tongue that serves to support and limit its movement in different directions.
The presentation can vary in thickness, elasticity, specific location on the tongue, and the floor of the mouth. If restrictive it may impact oral motor development, feeding, speech, and breathing habits.
A frenectomy is a quick procedure (a few minutes or less) that gives your child improved mobility of their lips and tongue. The timing of a frenectomy procedure is important, and our doctors will help determine this. Our doctors have received extensive training in diagnosing frenum issues and performing frenectomy procedures. They are certified in the use of soft tissue lasers.
Infant frenectomy
At Smiles in Motion, we are dedicated and determined to provide you and your baby with exceptional care and want to help you achieve your feeding goals through proper diagnosis and treatment of restrictive frenula. We encourage a multidisciplinary approach and recommend mothers work with professionals who have extended knowledge and experience with infants and infant feeding as they seek answers to their nursing and feeding questions. These specialists provide crucial insights on a baby’s oral motor skills. These providers include:
Furthermore, best practices include bodywork sessions with a skilled body worker (Chiropractor, Cranial Sacral therapist, Physical Therapist) familiar with infants before and after the procedure.
Soft tissue laser
At Smiles in Motion, we use a state-of-the-art carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to perform our frenectomy procedures on infants. No general anesthesia is required and local anesthetic (numbing) is not always necessary. Laser procedures are relatively quick and reduces the risk of bleeding and inflammation. Healing time is quicker and there is less post-operative discomfort than when compared to traditional methods of removing tissue which requires a scalpel.
The tongue, lips, and cheeks are important for all oral functions. In infancy, when the mobility of those muscles is restricted, it can cause problems with nursing, feeding, swallowing, sleeping, and breathing. Many of these problems can persist into adulthood along with speech problems, difficulty brushing the top teeth, tooth decay, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, excessive spacing, and gum recession.
Place your finger under the lip and elongate the treatment site by moving the lip up as high as it will go (until it bumps into resistance). Then gently sweep your finger from side to side over the treatment site for a few seconds.
Use index fingers to do a “fishhook” sweep and lift the cheek areas. It is ok to rub the treatment site with your index fingers and use a “C” or “U” shape movement with the finger.
Stretch 1: Place your index fingers together at the top of the diamond under your baby’s tongue and stretch it up towards the roof of their mouth and back towards the throat. Hold it for 1-2 seconds and then relax. The goal is to narrow/elongate the diamond.
Stretch 2: Place your finger in the middle of the diamond. Turn your finger sideways and use a sweeping or rolling pin motion to lift the tongue in the up direction. This stretch should not be forceful or rough within the wound.
Stretch 3: Massage on either side of the floor of the mouth (outside the diamond) to loosen up the musculature of the remainder of the floor of mouth
Infant Frenectomy Protocol
The Infant Frenectomy Protocol (IFP) course provides comprehensive training on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of tethered oral tissues in infants. Participants learn evidence-based techniques for performing safe and effective frenectomies, as well as best practices for patient assessment, laser use, and post-procedure care to ensure optimal outcomes for both infants and parents.
Academy of Laser Dentistry
The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) is the largest international organization devoted to laser dentistry. Its members include general dentists, pediatric dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, hygienists, and others interested in the field of laser dentistry.
Hakley S.
I love the overall experience Smiles in Motion provides for my child, from the playset to the friendly staff, to the token at the end! I have total confidence in the dentists and staff.
Ronald R.
I love how comfortable Smiles in Motion makes my child at his appointments and that he has clean, healthy teeth!
Asha B.
My favorite part about Smiles in Motion is the team, they are simply the best!
Nora S.
They were so great when I had to bring my daughter in for an emergency visit. They made her feel so comfortable and went above and beyond for us. My daughter loved the "fun floor" and climbing cubbies.
Owen S.
I love how patient and kind Smiles in Motion is with our children, and they love watching a show during their visit!
Esme T.
Esme loves to get her teeth cleaned! The staff are all very friendly and professional.
Natalie U.
I love how great the team is with my kids! They are so fast and efficient. My favorite part is knowing that I am building great dental care habits for my kids that will last them their lifetime!
Karter S.
I love how kind and caring they are. My favorite part about my dental care is having healthy teeth!
Brianna P.
I love the concern and compassion the Smiles in Motion team shows for kids. It's great to know their teeth are being taken care of.
Eleanor T.
Smiles in Motion knows how to make a dental visit fun and not scary! My child loves getting their teeth cleaned while watching her favorite shows.
Elijah W.
I love how whether my child is receiving routine care of a special procedure, they go above and beyond to communicate before, during, and after. I know my kids are receiving the best care.
Theo N.
I love how adaptive Smiles in Motion is to each little ones needs and their willingness to listen to parent concerns! The staff is great at making my kids feel safe and less scared during their visit.
Cameron F.
I love the care and patience they have for children. My daughter loves having her teeth cleaned!
Lila W.
The staff do their very best to make my children's dental experience a positive one. The environment is even kid friendly!
Noah S.
My son is nervous when he goes in and the Smiles in Motion team knows exactly what to do to calm him. He’s usually disappointed that we have to leave! They do a good job and are very thorough, explaining every detail as they go.
Mazie C
I love that the office is setup for kids! Sometimes mine don’t want to leave after their appointments. My favorite part is the ability of SIM to communicate possible future needs of my kids in an easy to comprehend manner.
Maverick S.
The SIM team is helpful, kind and answer any and all questions I have.
Ryker S.
I love the play place and being able to watch my favorite show during my dental cleaning! My favorite part is is getting coins so I can win a prize!
Emma and Evelynn H.
I love how nice and accommodating everyone is no matter the purpose of our visit. My kids' favorite part of their visit is the slide and being able to watch a movie!
Our specialty trained team is available to assist you in scheduling, review what to expect at the appointment, and help answer any questions you may have regarding the procedure.
At Smiles in Motion Pediatric Dentistry, our board-certified dentists have received extensive training in diagnosing frenum issues and performing frenectomy procedures.
At what age should my child visit a pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first visit to the dentist should occur by twelve months of age. This visit will enable our pediatric dentists to evaluate your child and discuss proper oral hygiene. Early education and guidance about diet, fluoride, tooth eruption and finger/pacifier habits can help ensure optimal dental health.
Why should my child see a pediatric dentist instead of our regular family dentist?
Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on the oral health of young people. Following dental school, a pediatric dentist spends two to three years in additional specialty training in the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special needs.
What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?
Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle.
What do you recommend for busy families so they are making good dietary choices on a daily basis?
Diet plays a really important role for the development or risk for cavities. Eliminating chocolate milk or any juice all together is great, but moderation is key. Stay away from the sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and even sodas because they have a lot of acid. Mostly importantly stay away from sticky snacks like gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, things that stick in the grooves of your teeth.
Why are "baby teeth" important?
Primary teeth have been labeled "baby teeth." Primary teeth are necessary for proper chewing, speech, development of the jaws and esthetics. Care of the primary teeth is important, not only for proper function but also to avoid a number of unpleasant conditions, such as pain, that result from their neglect
Do you care for children with special needs?
Our pediatric dentists have an additional two years of advanced training beyond dental school. Their specialty education provided additional training that focused specifically on care for children with special needs. Additionally, our office is designed to be physically accessible to special patients.
What do you do at your office to keep dental visits happy?
We use child friendly words to describe everything we do and we use encouragement and positive reinforcement to help children trust us and gain confidence in themselves. We interact with our patients because we want them to know that yes we care about their teeth, but we also care about them as a person.
If my child gets a cavity in a baby tooth, should it still be filled?
Yes! Primary or “baby” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also hold space that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Pain, infection of the gums and jaw, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected.
How should you manage a child’s risk for developing cavities?
We recommend a child still brush twice daily, most importantly at nighttime. We recommend flossing daily as well. It can be tricky, especially kids with tighter crowded teeth. We strongly encourage that this is done with supervision of an adult until at least age 8 or 9. We also recommend that the child visits the dentists every 6 months to evaluate the need for X-Rays, Sealants, fluoride.
Aren't they just baby teeth?
Yes, but most children get their first teeth by age 1 and lose their last baby tooth by age 13. Early care and prevention are crucial. Baby teeth shape the mouth, allow for chewing, appropriate speech, and help guide permanent teeth into the mouth correctly. Cavities are a bacteria that if left untreated can cause significant pain and spread to neighboring teeth, surrounding bone and throughout the body.
What if a child needs to have a procedure done that involves more than a cleaning and examination?
It can be an uncertain time for a parent when their child needs treatment of any kind. It is our job to make sure parents are comfortable with our recommendations and all their options. We appreciate the opportunity to work one on one with children during treatment so we can focus on each other. We love to see a child realize what they can do and watch them be proud of what they’ve accomplished.
When should my child start using toothpaste?
Children may start using fluoride toothpaste when the baby teeth erupt, but only under direct supervision by a parent. Use only a very small amount of toothpaste (about half the size of a pea) and wipe off the tooth and gums with a washcloth afterwards.
What are dental sealants and who can benefit from them?
The chewing surface of children’s teeth is most susceptible to cavities and least benefited from fluoride. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of teeth and can be very effective in preventing tooth decay. Molars are the most decayed teeth because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves of the chewing surfaces. Sealants prevent the cavities that fluoride cannot effectively reach.
What can a parent do to help stop oral sucking habits?
Most children do stop on their own, but some require additional help from their parents or pediatric dentist. For patients with a pacifier habit, the most successful way to stop is to simply take the pacifier away. For thumb/finger habits, we recommend using a rewards calendar. Your pediatric dentist may recommend placing an appliance that does not allow the patient to suck on their thumb or finger.
Why Smiles in Motion?
We have board certified Pediatric Dentists and a specialty trained team. We absolutely love spending our day with children and forming relationships with them. It is our collective goal that children are comfortable with us in their dental home and that parents feel 100% confident that their children are receiving the highest quality care in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.
What can parents do to help make dental experiences positive?
If parents have their own fear or anxiety about the dentist, they should not share those with their child. Dentistry has changed over the years, and it is important to allow their child the opportunity to like their dentist and their dental home. Parents can refer to the dentist and team as helpful and as friends. If the parents show they trust the dentist their child will too.
How often should my child visit a pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that most children visit the dentist at least twice a year. Some children need more frequent care and teeth cleanings because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. Our pediatric dentists will help determine the best teeth cleaning schedule for your child.
My child likes to drink sports drinks. Is that a problem?
Yes. Sports drinks can cause as many cavities as regular soda pop. During hot, strenuous activities, sports drinks may be helpful, however if they contain sugar, they can also cause cavities. Kids age 6 and up should aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
What do you recommend for busy families so they are making good dietary choices on a daily basis?
Diet plays a really important role for the development or risk for cavities. Eliminating chocolate milk or any juice all together is great, but moderation is key. Stay away from the sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and even sodas because they have a lot of acid. Mostly importantly stay away from sticky snacks like gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, things that stick in the grooves of your teeth.
A lot of young children like to suck on their fingers, thumbs and pacifiers, can these have adverse affects?
You’re right! Sucking on thumbs, fingers and pacifiers is very normal and actually provides security for the very young child. Most children will stop this habit on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. Our guidelines recommend stopping that habit around 3 years of age to prevent any issues with the developing jaw and the way the teeth are positioned.
Does your child use a pacifier or suck his/her thumb?
This type of sucking is completely normal for infants and young children. It provides security and relaxation. Most children stop sucking their thumb or pacifier between two and four years of age with no harm to their teeth or jaws. However, children should cease these habits prior to the eruption of their permanent teeth.
Does your child use a sippy cup?
Sippy cup or nursing bottle mouth (early childhood caries) is caused by frequent and lengthy exposure to liquids containing sugars (milk, breast milk, sports drinks, formula, soda, fruit juice) and can destroy your child’s teeth if not caught in time. It’s best to let us check your baby early, before his/her first birthday.
