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Tongue Tie Release For Babies in Shah Alam, Selangor
Baby Tongue Tie Treatment
Tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that may affect infants from birth. In simple terms, it occurs when a small piece of tissue, called the frenulum, is too short or thick, connecting the tongue too tightly to the bottom of the mouth. This limits the tongue’s movement, making it difficult for babies to perform essential actions like breastfeeding effectively.
Our team of dedicated dentists, led by Dr. Navasheilla Retna, specialises in diagnosing and treating tongue ties to ensure your baby’s comfort and well-being. If left untreated, tongue tie can lead to feeding issues, speech difficulties, and dental problems later in life. Let’s explore this condition in detail and how early intervention can make a significant difference.
What Causes Tongue Tie?
The exact cause of tongue tie remains unclear, but it’s believed to be related to genetic factors. Research shows that approximately 4-10% of newborns may experience some degree of tongue tie, with boys being more commonly affected than girls. Although not all tongue ties cause problems, those that restrict tongue movement significantly can interfere with breastfeeding, leading to discomfort for both the baby and the mother.
How Tongue Tie Affects Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not just about feeding; it’s a bonding moment between mother and baby. However, if a baby has a tongue tie, this experience can become challenging. Babies rely heavily on their tongues to latch properly, create suction, and extract milk from the breast. A restricted tongue due to tongue tie can result in several breastfeeding problems, such as:
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Difficulty Latching: Babies with tongue tie may struggle to get a good latch, leading to inadequate milk intake. This can leave them feeling hungry and irritable, causing stress for both the baby and the mother
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Frequent Feeding Sessions: Because the baby cannot extract enough milk efficiently, they may need to feed more frequently, resulting in longer nursing sessions. This can be exhausting for new mothers, especially during nighttime feedings
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Nipple Pain and Damage: Improper latching due to restricted tongue movement often leads to sore, cracked nipples. Many mothers who visit our clinic have reported severe pain during breastfeeding, which is a common sign of a possible tongue tie in their babies
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Slow Weight Gain in Infants: If a baby is unable to breastfeed effectively, they may not gain weight at a healthy rate. This can be particularly worrying for parents, especially when they notice their baby is not thriving as expected
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s essential to consult a pediatric dentist who can assess your baby’s tongue and provide the appropriate treatment. At Klinik Pergigian Alam Impian, we have the expertise and tools to diagnose and manage tongue ties with minimal discomfort.
Types and Classifications of Tongue Tie
Understanding the severity of a tongue tie can help determine the best treatment approach. Tongue ties are classified into four types based on how restrictive they are:
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Type 1: The frenulum is thin and connects to the very tip of the tongue. Babies with Type 1 tongue tie often have the most difficulty with breastfeeding, as their tongue movement is highly restricted
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Type 2: Here, the frenulum is slightly further back but still affects tongue elevation. These babies may struggle with feeding and speech as they grow older
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Type 3: The frenulum is located closer to the middle of the tongue, making it less visible. Although it doesn’t restrict tongue movement as much as Types 1 and 2, it can still cause difficulties with breastfeeding and speech
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Type 4: This type is the most challenging to diagnose, as the frenulum is thick and attaches deep under the tongue. Babies with Type 4 tongue tie may not show immediate symptoms, but issues can develop as they grow older, especially with speech and oral hygiene
Correcting Tongue Tie
The good news is that tongue tie can be corrected easily, even in newborns. The most common procedure used to treat this condition is called a frenectomy. At Klinik Pergigian Alam Impian, we offer two primary methods to perform this procedure:
Conventional Frenectomy
This involves using sterile surgical scissors to snip the restrictive frenulum. The procedure is quick, typically taking less than five minutes, with minimal bleeding. It’s safe and effective, allowing babies to breastfeed immediately afterward. Mothers who have opted for this treatment at our clinic often report immediate improvement in their baby’s feeding ability.
Laser Frenectomy
For a less invasive option, we also offer laser frenectomy. This modern technique uses a specialised dental laser to release the frenulum. The advantages of using a laser include:
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Minimal bleeding: The laser cauterises as it cuts, reducing the risk of bleeding
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Reduced discomfort: Babies experience less pain during and after the procedure, making it a preferred option for parents
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Faster healing: The recovery time is quicker with laser treatment, allowing your baby to return to feeding and other activities sooner
Our pediatric dental specialist, Dr. Navasheilla Retna, has extensive experience in performing laser frenectomies, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for both the baby and parents.
The Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Tongue Tie Treatment
In addition to surgical procedures, myofunctional therapy can be beneficial, especially for older children or adults who have developed compensatory habits due to a long-standing tongue tie. This therapy involves exercises to strengthen the tongue and improve its range of motion. It’s an excellent way to complement a frenectomy and enhance the outcomes. For children who have had difficulty with speech, myofunctional therapy can significantly improve their ability to pronounce certain sounds.
Tongue Tie and Speech Development
Tongue tie doesn’t just affect breastfeeding; it can also have long-term effects on a child’s speech development. When the tongue cannot move freely, it can make it harder for children to pronounce certain letters and sounds, particularly “t,” “d,” “l,” “r,” and “th” sounds. This can result in speech delays or articulation issues that may require therapy later on. Early treatment can help prevent these problems and support normal speech development.
Benefits of Treating Tongue Tie Early
If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie, it’s best to seek treatment as early as possible. The benefits of early intervention include:
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Improved breastfeeding: Many mothers in Shah Alam have reported successful breastfeeding after a quick frenectomy, with babies latching more effectively and gaining weight consistently
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Better oral hygiene: As children grow, unrestricted tongue movement helps them clean their teeth naturally, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease
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Enhanced speech clarity: Correcting tongue tie early can prevent speech impediments, helping your child communicate more effectively as they enter school
Our dentists
dental Specialists & Experts in shah alam
Dr Navasheilla
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), USM
DClinDent (Paediatric Dentistry), UKM
MFDSRCS (Edinburgh)
- 20 years as dentist with 10 Years as Paediatric Dental Specialist.
- Passionate in treating Kids & Teenagers (Tongue Tie Surgery, Sedation Dentistry and etc)
Dr. Thurka
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), SEGi University
- 6 years of dental experience.
- Passionate in treating all category of patients
Dr Lavinia
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Manipal University (India)
- 6 years of dental experience.
- Passionate in treating all category of patients.
Hear What Our Patients Are Smiling About
This is my first time visiting this clinic, good and detail explanation about our teeth. Procedure for after treatment also given with reference link. Reasonable price for the good service. Keep it up! Thanks Dr Lavinia and the nurses also for flushing my swollen gum and scaling!
The best dental clinic, bring your child to have a tooth extracted, the clinic is about to close at 9pm, but the doctor still treats you like an emergency, the doctor and nurse are really friendly, the child can relax and get a tooth extracted like the best doctor 😀
This is my first time visiting this dental clinic. Dr Nava treated my 9 yo daughter so well & she is happy after the treatment. This dental clinic is so comfortable and kids friendly.
The dentist was very informative, gentle and had empathy for me who was afraid 🤭. Highly recommended. 🥰
Il give a 5star.. explained well before the treatment.Thank you Dr.Thurka.
The doctor and staff are very polite and friendly. My son loves the service
Very clean, bright and nice white-maroon inter deco. The cosy and clean tv area is a welcoming sight for waiting area of patient with companies. The white floor is squeaky clean and the dental room is well lit with the right hue of lights. Friendly reception desk, doctor and assistants. Reasonable cost. Highly recommended.
Staff friendly and Doctor very good. Get ballon for gift. My niece so happy!
Dr Thurka is friendly to kids. Very good handling my son. Thank you very satisfied with the service
Recommended! I was given 2 choice either to have a normal scaling and polishing for rm 100 or to do an aistream polishing which was pricier but less painful. Decided to try out the new tech. It was not painful at all, almost dozed off to sleep. That's how skillful the doctor is.The registration was smooth. Facilities are tip top and comfy. Would come here again for other services.
When I entered, I noticed the clinic was absolutely spotless, and I was immediately welcomed by the staff at the counter. Before the operation, I was informed about briefly treatment would go and throughout the whole operation, I was made to feel comfortable and given reassuring comments by the people performing the treatment. It really helped calmed my nerves during the more painful parts of the treatment.Overall, I 100% recommend this clinic and will be coming back when I need to get my teeth checked again
Amazing treatment by Dr.Thurka. She was very gentle and professional in treating me.The nurses were equally amazing by keeping me calm and relaxed throughout the treatment.
We (myself and my son) recently visited this dental surgery. We are on holiday, visiting our family in Malaysia and required dental care.My son has been suffering with a persistent mucocele for some months. He was attended to by Dr. Sheila, who was very professional, gentle and attentive throughout the process. It resulted in a minor surgery which was done with utmost care, skill and explanation every step of the way. He was at ease throughout the time. 😊I was attended to by Dr. Thurka who did an excellent job of concealing the gaps between my teeth. I’m so pleased with the final result/outlook. She took her time and everything was done with care and explained well which was very reassuring.Overall we had a great dental experience - the place is clean and crisp! The staff are very professional, polite, skilled and the price is competitive. I highly recommend this dental surgery.
Excellent service! I had my dental scaling done here with Dr Navasheila and she was really good and gentle with my teeth. Her assistant was also very polite. Definitely the best dentist in the area.
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Your Trusted Partner in Children's Dental Health
- 17A (First Floor), Jalan Panglima Hitam M35/M, Alam Impian, 40470 Shah Alam, Selangor
- +6012-684 8964
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Mon - Fri: 10am to 9pm
Sat: 9am to 8pm
Sun: 10am to 6pm
