When your child struggles to latch during breastfeeding, has difficulty moving their tongue, or shows early signs of speech delays, the answer may be hiding right in their mouth. Tongue tie, a condition known clinically as ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum — the small band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too short or tight, restricting normal tongue movement. It can affect children of all ages, from newborns just learning to feed, to older children working through speech development, and the impact on daily life can be significant.
At Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, we understand how worrying these signs can be for parents. Our pediatric dental office in Willingboro provides compassionate, expert care for children and adolescents in a warm, child-friendly environment. We are proud to offer frenectomy procedures to help your child overcome the challenges tongue tie can bring, giving them a better start with feeding, speech, and oral comfort.
A frenectomy is a simple, in-office procedure that releases the overly restrictive lingual frenulum, allowing the tongue to move more freely. The word may sound intimidating, but the procedure itself is generally quick and well-tolerated, especially when performed by a skilled pediatric dental team. We offer this procedure as part of our comprehensive frenectomy and tongue tie treatment services, designed with your child’s comfort and recovery in mind.
Tongue tie can present differently depending on your child’s age and the severity of the frenulum restriction. In infants, the most common concern is difficulty breastfeeding, which can leave babies unable to create a proper seal and lead to inadequate nutrition. Mothers may also experience significant discomfort during feeding as a result. In older children, a restricted frenulum can interfere with the precise tongue movements needed to produce certain sounds clearly. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published by researchers at Boston University found that frenectomy for tongue tie was associated with meaningful improvement in speech articulation in pediatric patients, with better outcomes observed when treatment occurs earlier in childhood.
Not every case of tongue tie requires intervention, but when it does, a frenectomy can be transformative. Children who may benefit from evaluation include those who show signs such as difficulty latching during breastfeeding, poor weight gain in infancy, delayed or unclear speech development, and trouble with tasks like licking, swallowing, or moving food in the mouth. These signs are worth taking seriously, and our team is here to help you determine whether a frenectomy is the right path forward for your child.
The following are some of the challenges tongue tie can create at different stages of childhood:
Every child’s situation is unique, and our team takes time to evaluate the full picture before recommending any treatment.
One of the most common concerns parents have is whether the procedure will be painful or traumatic for their child. We want to put your mind at ease. Frenectomy is typically a swift procedure that is performed right here in our office. For infants and very young children, the process is often completed in a matter of minutes with minimal discomfort, and local anesthesia is used as appropriate. Our team is experienced in providing infant and toddler dental care in a gentle, child-centered environment, so your little one is always in caring hands.
After the procedure, most children recover quickly. In some cases, particularly for older children, post-procedure exercises or follow-up care with a speech therapist may be recommended to help maximize the benefits of tongue release. We will walk you through every step of aftercare before you leave our office, so you feel confident in your child’s recovery.
For a dental emergency, please call us at (609) 707-1515.
The sooner tongue tie is identified and treated, the better the potential outcomes for your child. Addressing feeding challenges in the newborn stage can make a meaningful difference in a mother’s breastfeeding experience and in the infant’s nutrition. For speech development, early release of the lingual frenulum gives a child’s tongue more time to build the movement patterns needed for clear articulation.
If you have noticed any feeding or speech concerns, scheduling an evaluation sooner rather than later is always a good idea. Our infant and toddler dentist in Willingboro is well-equipped to assess tongue tie in even your youngest patients.
At Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, our mission has always been to ensure that every child — regardless of their background or level of dental need — receives the highest standard of care. Led by Dr. Ballard and our dedicated team of specialists, we have built a practice where even the most anxious young patients learn that our office is a place full of fun, comfort, and laughter. We refuse to overschedule, so your child is always seen on time, and we offer early morning appointments to accommodate your busy family life.
If you suspect your child may have tongue tie or if you have questions about whether a frenectomy could help, we encourage you to reach out today. Schedule an appointment with our Willingboro team and take the first step toward giving your child the freedom of movement and the healthy smile they deserve.
At Kool Koala Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry, our Burlington County team is dedicated to providing exceptional care to children and adolescents. Each of our highly trained pediatric dentists is passionate about making dental visits a positive, comfortable experience for every child. Our team includes:
Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
See what our patients in Burlington County, NJ are saying about their experience at Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry.
Our pediatric dentist in Willingboro offers the following dentistry services:
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