Frenums and the Frenectomy Procedure
We have two types of frenums in our mouth: a lingual frenum and a label frenum. A frenum is a band of tissue connecting the lip to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth which in some cases, can cause more serious health issues. A frenectomy is the removal of the offending tissue band.
The lingual frenulum is located between the base of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. The freedom restricts tongue movement and can cause a lot of trouble for babies who are breast-feeding. If a baby is tongue-tied, they may have difficulty latching to the breast and nursing adequately. This can cause the baby to fail to gain weight and overtime, can even impair their speech as they grow. A lingual frenectomy is performed by a dentist, oral surgeon, or other medical professional with the goal to free the tongue, allowing for proper swallowing and speech.
The labial frenum is located between the inside of the lip and the gum tissue. If the frenum is too long or wide, it can cause a space between the two front teeth and may even cause gum recession.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure used to remove the band of tissue that is causing problems for the patient. Surgery may be performed using a scalpel or a soft tissue laser. In older patients, a local anesthetic may be administered before the doctor clips the band. Infants who need a frenectomy may not need anesthetic since the frenum is this and has very few nerves. Tongue-tied babies often have a difficult time nursing and can become malnourished and even lose weight instead of gaining weight. A frenectomy can be performed at any age and can greatly increase the patient’s oral and overall health.
Babies that have a frenectomy can nurse immediately following the procedure. For older patients, there is very little pain and swelling at the surgery site and can usually go back to their regular routines within a couple of days. Following a frenectomy, it is important to follow through with your post-operative appointments so your doctor can make sure that everything is healing properly.
If your baby is having trouble breastfeeding, it is worth a quick trip to the pediatrician to see if they are tongue-tied and if a frenectomy will provide the relief they need in order to nurse well. Left untreated, the frenum may stretch and nursing may become easier over time but the procedure is quick and simple so it may be the way to go!