MANTON — Brite White Dental is highlighting the treatment of infant lip and tongue ties to address feeding difficulties for babies and mothers. Dr. Jennifer White uses CO2 laser technology to perform functional releases for infants experiencing shallow latches, painful breastfeeding or excessive gas.
The clinic has dedicated Thursdays specifically to treating infants due to a high demand for these procedures. While some consider the condition a fad, Dr. White stated that many mothers are incorrectly told that breastfeeding pain is normal. On a scale of one to 10, some mothers report experiencing a 10 in pain during the initial latch before the tongue tie is addressed.
Dr. White conducts a functional assessment using a symptom sheet to identify issues such as reflux, excessive spit up or fussiness. During the examination, the baby is placed in a lap assessment position where the dentist checks for cheek, lip and tongue ties.
The release procedure takes a maximum of 5 minutes to complete. Staff apply a topical anesthetic and take photographs before using a CO2 laser to perform the release. Dr. White described the laser as a quick method that facilitates healing and a functional release. Following the procedure, parents are brought to a private office to feed their baby immediately to assess the results.
Meagan Roberts who sought treatment for her daughter at the clinic described the challenges she faced before the evaluation. Roberts noted that the infant’s feeding issues were affecting her breastfeeding journey. “She really struggled with eating. She would dribble milk out of her mouth and her lashes pretty painful, and she had a lot of gas,” Roberts said. Following the treatment the baby no longer experienced pain during latching and the milk dribbling stopped.
The clinic provides follow-up care including post-operative stretches and aftercare instructions. Cases often show improved weight gain in babies who previously struggled to eat.
An expert panel regarding infant tongue ties is scheduled to take place in Traverse City on April 16. Dr. White’s office is accepting new patients and if you are looking for orthodontic consultation for your children you can contact Brite White Dental by calling (231)434-3817 or click here.