Expert Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment in Erie, CO

Are you concerned about your child’s feeding difficulties, speech issues, or sleep disturbances? These symptoms might be related to a condition called tongue tie or lip tie. At Flourish Tongue Tie in Erie, CO, we specialize in diagnosing and treating these oral restrictions using advanced laser technology.

Dr. Namrata Hardy, our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, brings both professional expertise and personal experience to every treatment. As a mother who discovered her own children had tongue ties affecting their breastfeeding, Dr. Nam understands firsthand the challenges families face and the relief proper treatment can bring.

Our specialized care center offers quick, painless solutions that can transform your child’s oral function and your family’s quality of life. Keep reading to learn how our services can help your child eat, sleep, breathe, and speak better.

What Are Tongue Ties and Lip Ties?

Understanding Tethered Oral Tissues

Tongue ties (ankyloglossia) and lip ties occur when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lip to the gum is too tight or restrictive. These conditions affect approximately 10% of newborns and can cause significant functional limitations if left untreated.

The restrictive tissue, called a frenum or frenulum, limits normal movement and can impact various aspects of oral development and function. These restrictions aren’t just minor inconveniences—they can affect breastfeeding, speech development, dental health, and even breathing patterns.

Each child’s situation is unique, which is why our team conducts thorough evaluations to identify the specific type and severity of restriction before recommending the most appropriate treatment approach for your child’s specific needs.

How Our Advanced Laser Treatment Works

State-of-the-Art CO2 Cold Laser Technology

At Flourish Tongue Tie, we utilize advanced CO2 Cold laser technology that represents the gold standard in frenectomy procedures. This precision instrument allows Dr. Nam to fully release your child’s tongue or lip tie with exceptional accuracy and minimal invasiveness.

The laser procedure takes only 10-15 seconds to complete and requires no sedation, making it ideal even for newborns and infants. Unlike traditional methods using scissors or scalpels, our laser technique results in minimal bleeding, reduced discomfort, and faster healing times.

Most remarkably, babies can typically breastfeed immediately following the procedure, allowing for instant improvement in feeding comfort and efficiency. This quick return to nursing helps strengthen the mother-baby bond while ensuring proper nutrition continues without interruption.

Our Specialized Services

Baby Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment

Our primary goal at Flourish Tongue Tie is early intervention. We focus on identifying tethered oral tissues in babies as early as possible, as this typically results in easier procedures and simpler aftercare for both the infant and parents.

Babies with tongue or lip ties often exhibit symptoms such as difficulty latching during breastfeeding, shallow sucking, clicking sounds while feeding, excessive gas, colic, and poor weight gain. Many mothers experience painful nursing, cracked nipples, or mastitis due to their baby’s restricted oral movement.

Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve not only immediate feeding issues but also prevent future complications related to speech, dental development, and breathing patterns. Our team works closely with lactation consultants and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care for your baby.

Child Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment

Tongue and lip ties don’t always get identified during infancy. Many children reach toddlerhood or school age with undiagnosed restrictions that continue to affect their development and daily comfort.

Older children with ties may struggle with being picky eaters, experience difficulty with certain foods, show speech delays or articulation problems, develop dental issues like gaps between front teeth, or suffer from disturbed sleep patterns. These symptoms can affect academic performance, social confidence, and overall well-being.

It’s never too late to address these issues. Our gentle approach to treating tongue and lip ties in children focuses on minimizing discomfort while maximizing functional improvement. We take time to explain the procedure to children in age-appropriate ways, helping them feel comfortable and cooperative during treatment.

The Frenectomy Procedure: What to Expect

Before, During, and After Your Child’s Treatment

Pre-Procedure Consultation: Every treatment begins with a thorough evaluation where Dr. Nam examines your child’s oral structures and discusses your concerns and observations. We take time to answer all your questions and outline what you can expect from the procedure and recovery.

During the Procedure: The actual laser frenectomy takes only seconds to complete. For babies, we use gentle swaddling techniques to ensure safety and comfort. A small amount of topical numbing gel is applied to minimize any discomfort. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to remain present throughout the entire process.

Post-Procedure Care: Following treatment, we provide detailed aftercare instructions including stretching exercises that help prevent reattachment during healing. Most babies can breastfeed immediately, and we offer a comfortable, private space for this first post-procedure feeding.

Age Group	Procedure Duration	Recovery Time	Follow-up Care
Newborns (0–4 weeks)	10–15 seconds	Minimal	Simple stretches
Infants (1–12 months)	15–30 seconds	24–48 hours	Regular stretches for 2 weeks
Children (1+ years)	30–60 seconds	3–7 days	Guided exercises for 3 weeks

Why Choose Flourish Tongue Tie Center?

Expertise That Makes a Difference

Dr. Namrata Hardy brings exceptional credentials and personal insight to her practice. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and member of multiple professional associations, she combines advanced training with the compassion that comes from her own experience as a mother of children with tongue ties.

Our specialized focus on tongue and lip tie treatment means we’ve developed particular expertise in this area. We understand the subtle differences in presentation and the most effective approaches for each unique situation.

We also believe in collaborative care and maintain strong relationships with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and other specialists to ensure your child receives comprehensive support throughout their treatment journey.

How Tongue Tie Treatment Can Transform Your Child’s Life

The Long-Term Benefits of Proper Oral Function

• Improved Feeding: Better latch, more efficient nursing, reduced colic and reflux
• Enhanced Speech Development: Clearer articulation and wider range of sounds
• Better Dental Health: Reduced risk of decay, gum recession, and orthodontic issues
• Improved Breathing: Better airway function and reduced risk of sleep-disordered breathing
• Proper Facial Development: Balanced facial growth and development

Early intervention creates a foundation for lifelong oral health and function. By addressing tongue and lip ties promptly, we help prevent cascading effects that can impact multiple aspects of your child’s development and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue Tie Treatment

How do I know if my baby has a tongue tie or lip tie?

Common signs include difficulty latching during breastfeeding, clicking sounds while nursing, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, gassiness, and maternal nipple pain or damage. Visually, you might notice your baby’s tongue appears heart-shaped when lifted, or their upper lip may curl under or appear tight against the gum. However, proper diagnosis requires professional evaluation, as some ties can be less obvious but still functionally restrictive. Dr. Nam conducts thorough assessments that go beyond just the visual appearance to evaluate how the restriction affects function.

Is the laser procedure painful for my baby?

The CO2 Cold laser technology we use minimizes discomfort significantly. Most babies experience only momentary discomfort during the procedure itself, which takes just seconds to complete. We use a small amount of topical numbing gel to further enhance comfort. Many babies actually sleep through portions of their appointment, and most can breastfeed immediately afterward, which provides natural comfort and reassurance. The laser seals nerve endings as it works, resulting in far less post-procedure pain compared to traditional surgical methods.

What is the recovery process like after a frenectomy?

Recovery is typically quite rapid, especially for younger babies. After the procedure, we teach parents specific stretching exercises to prevent reattachment of the tissue during healing. These exercises are performed several times daily for about 2-3 weeks. Some babies may experience mild fussiness for 24-48 hours, but this is usually manageable with gentle comfort measures. Breastfeeding can continue immediately, and in fact, nursing itself helps with the healing process. For older children, we provide age-appropriate aftercare instructions and may recommend mild over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.

At what age should a tongue tie be treated?

Ideally, tongue and lip ties should be addressed as early as possible when symptoms are present. For breastfeeding babies, this often means within the first few weeks of life. Early intervention typically results in quicker adaptation and easier aftercare. However, it’s never too late to treat a problematic tie. We regularly treat older infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and even adolescents who are experiencing functional limitations due to oral restrictions. The approach and specific technique may vary based on age, but the benefits of treatment remain significant even for older children.

Will my insurance cover tongue tie treatment?

Many medical and dental insurance plans provide some coverage for frenectomy procedures, especially when there are documented functional issues like feeding difficulties. Our office team works diligently to verify your benefits and provide estimates of coverage before treatment. We also offer various payment options to make treatment accessible for families. During your consultation, we’ll discuss the specific costs involved and help you navigate the insurance process to maximize your benefits.

Ready to Help Your Child Flourish?

Take the first step toward improving your child’s oral function and quality of life. Our compassionate team at Flourish Tongue Tie is ready to provide the specialized care your family deserves.

📍 Visit Us: 3200 Village Vista Dr., # A-110, Erie, CO 80516
📞 Call: (720) 410-5465
📩 Or Request an Appointment Online Today

We are located at Village Vista Dr crossing near Mountain View Blvd. Nearest cross streets are E Baseline Rd and CO-7, next to CitiBank ATM.

Business Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed