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You’ve spent the past nine months preparing to bring home your beautiful newborn baby. The nursery is finished, you’ve read all the books and you are more than ready to finally have your child in your arms. Like many new moms, you’ve decided to breastfeed your baby because of the many health benefits. However, things don’t quite go as planned. You notice your baby isn’t latching on very easily no matter what you do. And it’s painful to you. Unfortunately, the bad latch probably also means your baby is getting a lot of air and is likely very fussy and gassy. The good news is you are not alone, and a simple dental procedure can make your life and your baby’s so much easier.

frenectomy
This extra piece of skin can make it difficult for a baby to latch on during breastfeeding. Photo credit: Olympia Smiles Dentistry
Olympia smiles fenectomy
In less than five minutes, with a simple laser procedure, mothers will see immediate improvement. Photo credit: Olympia Smiles Dentistry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Olympia Smiles Dentistry, Dr. Yathi Lingam performs infant frenectomies, which corrects lip and tongue ties. These are often the reason newborns have a difficult time nursing, but many new parents have no idea how easily it can be resolved.

“These poor babies are angry and fussy because they can’t get what they need basically. In a sense, they are malnourished,” Olympia Smiles’ registered dental assistant Erin O’Hara explains to me.

Olympia smiles dentistry
Registered Dental Assistant Erin O’Hara says the best part is seeing the relief on the mother’s faces after the procedure.
Photo credit: Olympia Smiles Dentistry

This isn’t the case here. As Erin describes what their office does, I’m amazed to learn it takes less than five minutes and is done by a laser. The baby is awake and simply receives a small amount of numbing at the actual site. With a frenectomy at Olympia Smiles Dentistry, there won’t be any sutures either and the change is immediate. Erin says, “We have the mom nurse the baby immediately after the procedure because it’s an instant result. They should latch right away. The pain is gone for the mom, the baby has full suction. It’s an amazing procedure to watch.”

Because there are such great outcomes, many insurance plans are now covering this procedure, but remember it’s dental not medical. “What we see the most is parents haven’t added the infant yet to their dental insurance. So that’s where the battle can happen. It’s important right when they are born to add them. You don’t necessarily think of it because they don’t have teeth yet,” Erin shares.

But don’t worry if your insurance doesn’t cover it, there are other options available. Olympia Smiles offers Care Credit, which allows you to make easy payments often interest free. Other payment options may be available as well.

If you notice your newborn having trouble nursing, Erin says the important thing is not to wait. Frenectomies are only done up to age six months because it’s too difficult past that point. The child can be reevaluated later, but not until about age seven when speech patterns are developing. Lip and tongue ties often will cause issues in speech or gaps in the teeth.

Dr. Yathi Lingam
Dr. Yathi Lingam takes extra time with new parents to make sure they and their newborns are comfortable. Photo credit: Olympia Smiles Dentistry

For these reasons, it’s so much easier to take care of when your child is very young. The first step is a free consultation appointment which gives Dr. Lingham an opportunity to observe baby and mom together and see if this is truly the problem. If so, he performs the frenectomy that very same day. Erin recommends bringing along a friend or family member, especially for first-time moms, who can offer moral support.

Even though this is a very quick procedure, Dr. Lingam and his staff want to make parents and babies feel comfortable in their office. The surgical suite is reserved, complete with a television, privacy and dim lighting. It’s a sterile, clean and safe environment. The newborn is held during the procedure and made as comfortable as possible. Erin says this is just part of Dr. Lingam’s nature. “He is truly amazing. He will even teach the parents how to swaddle their babies if they don’t know how. He’s a dad himself and gets it.”

Because it’s still not widely known, there aren’t a lot of other local offices doing the procedure. Erin says she is on a mission to educate new moms and lactation consultants in the area because one simple thing can make all the difference. “I really enjoy seeing the results. It’s personally rewarding for me. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like for the parents.”

Once the frenectomy is complete, the staff at Olympia Smiles Dentistry makes sure parents know about aftercare and the little tips that will make all the difference. A follow-up appointment in two weeks is the only other office visit you’ll need…at least until those teeth start coming in. Around nine months is when you will want to start taking your little one in for regular dental visits in order to set them up for idea dental health for a lifetime to come.

Olympia smiles
With a full staff of educated, caring people, Olympia Smiles Dentistry is sure to meet all your needs and put you at ease.
Photo credit: Olympia Smiles Dentistry

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