Welcome to my practice in the heart of Beverly Hills. As a holistic dentist, I encounter many concerned parents who are losing sleep, struggling with breastfeeding, and worrying about their infant’s development. If you are reading this, you are likely in the same boat, searching for answers about why your newborn is having trouble latching or why they seem uncomfortable. You might have heard the term “tongue-tie” whispered in parenting groups or mentioned by a lactation consultant. Please take a deep breath; you have come to the right place.

In my years of practice, I have helped countless families navigate the challenges of infant oral restrictions. My goal is to transform a stressful situation into a story of relief and improved health. Today, I want to talk to you about a revolutionary solution that we offer right here in Los Angeles: the Laser Frenectomy. This is not the scary surgery of the past. It is a precise, quick, and virtually painless procedure that can change your baby’s life—and yours—almost instantly.

Understanding the Basics: What is Ankyloglossia?

Before we dive into the solution, we need to understand the problem. Ankyloglossia is the medical term for what we commonly call a tongue-tie. Everyone has a frenum (or frenulum), which is that little band of tissue connecting the bottom of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. In a typical development, this tissue thins out and recedes before birth, allowing the tongue to move freely.

However, for a tongue tie baby, this tissue remains thick, tight, or too short. It acts like a tether, holding the tongue down and preventing it from lifting or extending. Imagine trying to eat or talk with your tongue glued to the floor of your mouth. It is frustrating and physically exhausting. While it might seem like a small piece of tissue, its impact on the body is profound.

This condition is surprisingly common. According to recent medical data, the prevalence of ankyloglossia in newborns ranges from 4% to 11% depending on the population studied. This means that if your child is struggling, you are certainly not alone. It is a congenital anomaly, meaning it is present at birth, and it often runs in families. If you or your partner had a tie, there is a higher chance your little one does too.

The Impact on Breastfeeding and Development

The most immediate sign of a tongue-tie usually appears during feeding. Successful breastfeeding requires the baby to open their mouth wide and extend their tongue over the lower gum line to create a vacuum seal on the breast. A baby with a restricted tongue simply cannot do this efficiently.

Instead of a deep latch, they might resort to shallow sucking or chewing on the nipple. This creates a cascade of issues. For the mother, it often causes severe pain, cracked nipples, and even mastitis (breast infection) because the breast isn’t being drained properly. For the baby, the effort to extract milk becomes a marathon. They burn more calories trying to eat than they consume, leading to poor weight gain, colic, reflux, and exhaustion.

Signs Your Baby Might Have a Tongue-Tie

• Clicking sounds: You hear a clicking noise while the baby is nursing, indicating the suction seal is breaking.
• Poor weight gain: The baby is falling off their growth curve despite frequent feedings.
• Prolonged feeding: Nursing sessions take forever, yet the baby never seems satisfied.
• Milk leaking: Milk spills out of the corners of the mouth during feeding.
• Reflux and gas: Because they cannot maintain a seal, they swallow air, leading to a gassy, fussy baby.
• Blistered lips: A sign the baby is using their lips to hold on because the tongue cannot do the work.

While breastfeeding difficulties are the most common early red flag, the issues do not stop there. If left untreated, a tongue-tie can lead to speech impediments later in life, particularly with sounds like “t,” “d,” “z,” “s,” and “r.” It can also impact dental health, causing gaps between the front teeth or leading to mouth breathing, which affects facial development and sleep quality.

Why I Choose Laser Technology Over Scissors

In the past, and sadly still in some offices, doctors would use sterile scissors or a scalpel to snip the frenum. While this can work, it has significant downsides. Cutting with steel causes bleeding, requires stitches (sutures), and carries a higher risk of infection. Furthermore, the trauma to the tissue can sometimes cause it to heal back tighter than before.

In my Beverly Hills practice, I utilize state-of-the-art CO2 laser technology. This is the gold standard for soft tissue surgery and is specifically optimized for infant frenectomies. The difference is night and day.

The laser does not “cut” in the traditional sense. It uses light energy to vaporize the tissue. Because of the physics of the laser, it seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it moves. This creates what we call “bloodless surgery.” For the parents watching, seeing no blood makes the experience much less traumatic. For the baby, sealing the nerve endings results in significantly less discomfort.

Another massive advantage is sterilization. The laser energy naturally kills bacteria in the surgical field, drastically reducing the risk of infection without the need for antibiotics. This holistic, minimally invasive approach aligns perfectly with my philosophy of care.

The Procedure: What to Expect at My Clinic

I know that the idea of a laser in your baby’s mouth sounds intimidating. I want to walk you through exactly what happens so you can see how gentle the process really is. When you bring your tongue tie baby to see me, we don’t rush. We start with a comprehensive examination. I look not just at the tongue, but also at the lip (lip-tie) and the overall function of the mouth.

If we determine that a release (frenectomy) is necessary, the actual procedure is incredibly fast. We are talking about a matter of seconds—usually less than a minute. We use a topical numbing gel to ensure the area is desensitized. We do not need general anesthesia or sedation, which eliminates those associated risks.

During the release, I use the laser to gently remove the tight tissue. Because there is minimal to no bleeding, I have perfect visibility, allowing me to release the tension completely. Incomplete releases are a common problem with the scissor method, but the laser allows for precision that ensures we get it right the first time.

Immediate Results and The “Golden Hour”

One of the most rewarding moments of my career happens right after the procedure. We encourage mothers to breastfeed immediately following the release. We call this the “healing feed.” Breast milk contains natural pain relievers and antibodies that soothe the baby and jumpstart the healing process.

The change is often instantaneous. Moms who have been in pain for weeks often look up at me with tears in their eyes because, for the first time, nursing doesn’t hurt. The baby, finally able to move their tongue, can achieve a deep, comfortable latch. Data supports this immediate relief; a study published in the Journal of Human Lactation found that 95% of mothers reported improved breastfeeding outcomes immediately following a frenotomy procedure.

Seeing the tension leave a mother’s shoulders and watching a baby feed peacefully is why I do what I do. It is not just about fixing a mouth; it is about restoring the bond between mother and child.

Post-Procedure Care and Exercises

The procedure is the first step, but the aftercare is just as important. The mouth heals very quickly—think about how fast a pizza burn on the roof of your mouth heals. We want to ensure that the tissue doesn’t heal back together and reattach.

I provide all my patients with a simple set of stretching exercises to do at home. These are not painful for the baby, though the baby might find having fingers in their mouth a bit annoying. You will essentially lift the tongue to stretch the diamond-shaped wound left by the laser. This keeps the area open while new, flexible tissue forms. We will practice these together in the office so you feel completely confident before you go home.

I also strongly advocate for a team approach. I often work closely with lactation consultants (IBCLCs) and bodyworkers like chiropractors or craniosacral therapists. A tongue-tie creates tension throughout the whole body. While I release the oral restriction, bodywork can help release the muscle tension the baby has been carrying in their neck and shoulders.

Common Myths About Tongue-Ties

In the age of the internet, there is a lot of misinformation out there. I want to clear up a few things I hear often in my office.

Myth 1: “They will grow out of it.”

This is false. The frenum is made of tough collagen fibers. It does not stretch or break on its own. While a child might learn to compensate for the restriction, the tie itself will remain. Adults with untreated tongue-ties often suffer from jaw pain (TMJ), migraines, and sleep apnea. Treating it in infancy prevents a lifetime of compensation.

Myth 2: “If the baby is gaining weight, there is no tie.”

Weight gain is a good sign, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Some babies are “efficient compensators.” They might be gaining weight, but the mother is in excruciating pain, or the baby is suffering from silent reflux and sleeping poorly. We treat the function and the symptoms, not just the number on the scale.

Myth 3: “It requires major surgery.”

As I described earlier, with the CO2 laser, this is a soft-tissue procedure that takes seconds. It is done in the dental chair. There are no hospital stays and no general anesthesia required for infants.

Why Beverly Hills Parents Trust Dr. Vafa

Choosing a provider to perform a procedure on your newborn is a massive decision. I understand the weight of that trust. In my Beverly Hills practice, I combine clinical excellence with a warm, empathetic environment. I believe in treating the whole patient.

My approach is rooted in the philosophy that structural health dictates overall health. By correcting the structure of the mouth early, we are setting the foundation for proper breathing, swallowing, and speaking. This is preventative medicine at its best.

Furthermore, I invest heavily in the latest technology. The CO2 laser I use is the most advanced tool available for this procedure. It offers “char-free” ablation, meaning the tissue isn’t burned, it’s vaporized. This leads to faster healing and less post-operative discomfort compared to diode lasers or hot-glass tips used in some other offices.

For more in-depth medical information regarding the symptoms and causes of this condition, I often refer my patients to the Mayo Clinic’s comprehensive guide on tongue-tie. It serves as an excellent resource to validate what you are experiencing.

Navigating the Emotional Journey

I want to acknowledge the emotional side of having a tongue tie baby. Many mothers feel a sense of guilt—feeling like their body is failing or that they are doing something wrong because breastfeeding is so hard. Please know that this is anatomy, not ability. You have done nothing wrong.

Taking the step to have the revision done is an act of love. It is advocating for your child’s health. It is normal to be nervous. It is normal to cry when your baby cries. My team and I are here to support you. We allow plenty of time for appointments so you never feel rushed. We are here to hold your hand, literally and figuratively.

Your Next Steps to a Pain-Free Future

If you suspect your infant is struggling with a restriction, the best path forward is a consultation. You do not need to struggle in silence, and you certainly do not need to “wait and see.” The earlier we address the issue, the easier the recovery and the sooner you can enjoy the bonding experience of feeding your child.

At my office, we look at the complete picture. We assess the latch, the tongue’s range of motion, and the symptoms both you and your baby are experiencing. If a laser frenectomy is the right choice, we can usually perform it the same day, getting you back to a happy, healthy life immediately.

Your baby deserves the ability to eat and speak freely. You deserve a breastfeeding journey free from pain. Let’s work together to release the tie and unlock your baby’s full potential.