SERVICES PROVIDED BY DR. CHELSEA PINTO
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTThe mobility of the tongue is very important during breastfeeding, both for the mother and the baby. A baby with a tied tongue may not be able to latch deeply onto the breast, past the nipple onto the areola. This compresses the nipple onto the hard palate in the baby’s mouth, leading to nipple pain and skin breakdown for the mother.
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MYOFASCIAL THERAPYDr. Pinto uses hands-on assessment and collaborates with our team of specialized professionals to locate areas of limited mobility, restriction and/or tightness. The goal of Myofascial massage is to help mobilize the area using gentle, slow movement and provide the just right amount of touch to allow the soft tissues to “unwind” and reorganize naturally.
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INFANT FRENECTOMYTongue and lip ties can cause infants to have difficulties such as feeding, airway issues, malocclusions (altered bite) as well as speech issues. Dr. Pinto is proud to offer a comprehensive approach in her treatment modality, including, myofascial and myofunctional therapy as well as breastfeeding support to best address tongue function and how it impacts the rest of the body.
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Dr. Pinto’s interest in helping babies with breastfeeding issues turned into an undeniable passion after having her first son and experiencing her own successful breastfeeding journey.
When a mother has breastfeeding problems, she should feel confident and comfortable turning to her established system of medical support for help. - Dr. Chelsea Pinto
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Tongue Ties
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What is a tongue tie?
A tongue tie occurs when the thin membrane under the baby’s tongue (the lingual frenulum) restricts the movement of the tongue. All babies are born with some of this tissue, but for approximately 5% of newborns, it is so tight that they cannot move their tongues freely. This can affect their ability to breastfeed and lead to poor latch, nipple pain and trauma, decreased milk intake and a decline in milk supply over time. The medical term for tongue tie is “ankyloglossia” and studies show the defect is likely hereditary. |
LIP Ties
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What is a lip tie?
Many babies with a tongue tie, also have an abnormally tight membrane attaching their upper lip to their upper gums (the labial frenulum). This is called a lip tie. Babies with a lip tie often have difficulty flanging their lips properly to feed and can’t create a proper seal at the breast. This can cause them to take in excess air during breastfeeding, which often makes these babies gassy and fussy. |
Signs and Symptoms of Tongue and Lip Ties
Some babies with tongue ties and lip ties are able to attach to the breast and suck well. However, many of these infants have breastfeeding problems. The following signs are common amongst infants with tongue and lip ties and their mothers. However, it is important to note that these signs can be linked to other breastfeeding problems and are not solely related to ties.
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Mothers may experience:
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Infants may exhibit:
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How are tongue and lip ties diagnosed?
Tongues and lips are only considered to be tied if their movement is restricted, impairing mobility. Correct examination of infants requires the infant be placed on the examiner’s lap with the infant’s head facing the same direction as the person evaluating the infant.
It is important to note that not all ties cause problems and require correction. Each case needs to be assessed by an educated and trained practitioner on an individual basis.
Tongue tie is a diagnosis based upon function, so what your baby’s tongue looks like can sometimes be less important than how it can move.
It is important to note that not all ties cause problems and require correction. Each case needs to be assessed by an educated and trained practitioner on an individual basis.
Tongue tie is a diagnosis based upon function, so what your baby’s tongue looks like can sometimes be less important than how it can move.
Treatment for tongue ties and lip ties
Tie revisions (called frenectomies) remove the tissue or tight frenulum under the tongue or upper lip. Dr. Pinto uses a state of the art laser for a safe and quick procedure that allows for greater tongue and lip mobility. In some instances, frenectomies can aid in prevention of other health problems like dental decay or spacing, speech difficulties and digestive issues.
Dr. Pinto is laser certified by The Academy of Laser Dentistry to perform frenectomies.
While the procedure can be done with a laser or scissors, advantages of revising ties with a laser include:
Dr. Pinto is laser certified by The Academy of Laser Dentistry to perform frenectomies.
While the procedure can be done with a laser or scissors, advantages of revising ties with a laser include:
- Minimal discomfort
- Minimal bleeding during and after the procedure – the laser aids in hemostasis
- Faster healing
- Bactericidal properties
- Increased precision and complete removal of a tie
Breastfeeding support
An infant’s inability to breastfeed often results in the mother giving up breastfeeding entirely, while being told that the problem is her fault. In reality, the problems may actually result from restricted tongue and upper lip attachments – making normal function, mobility and breastfeeding difficult or impossible.
Babies with ties may not maintain a latch for long enough to take in a full feeding, while others may remain attached to the breast for long periods of time without taking in enough milk. Some infants will feed only during the mother’s milk ejection reflex, or “let-down” when the milk ejects more freely, but won’t continue to draw milk out of the breast when this slows. Bottle feeding allows milk to drip into the mouth without effort, thus requiring less tongue muscle effort than is needed for breastfeeding.
Babies with ties may not maintain a latch for long enough to take in a full feeding, while others may remain attached to the breast for long periods of time without taking in enough milk. Some infants will feed only during the mother’s milk ejection reflex, or “let-down” when the milk ejects more freely, but won’t continue to draw milk out of the breast when this slows. Bottle feeding allows milk to drip into the mouth without effort, thus requiring less tongue muscle effort than is needed for breastfeeding.
educational resources
Tongue tied baby & breastfeeding |
post-procedre stretching exercises |
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Additional Resources
Our Team Approach
Dr. Pinto feels that post-revision care is important to the success of the revision. Essentially, the baby must learn how to use his or her tongue in a new way. Some babies need no help at all and immediately breastfeed post-procedure, while other babies may need help by additional professionals.
- An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help improve latch, provide suck strengthening exercises and develop a feeding plan to address issues of latch, nipple healing, and low milk supply.
- A speech or developmental feeding therapist can help babies learn to use their tongues for more effective eating and speech.
- A craniosacral therapist or chiropractor can help babies to release tight muscles that have compensated for a tight frenulum or improper suck.
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Dr. chelsea pintoDr. Chelsea Pinto is a skilled dentist and infant tongue-tie specialist at the Breathe Institute. As a laser-certified dentist and member of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals, Dr. Pinto offers in-office laser frenectomy treatment for assisting babies to latch on to the breast. In addition, she treats children and adults with a functional frenuloplasty technique, that integrates myofunctional therapy to best treat tongue restrictions.
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DR. PINTO IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:
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Call 310-579-9710 or fill out our contact form below to schedule an appointment at our Los Angeles office (near Westwood Village): 10921 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 912 Los Angeles, CA 90024
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testimonialsJust as the other reviewers have commented, we found Dr. Pinto to be kind, knowledgeable, and efficient with excellent bedside manner and follow up. We were referred to her by our lactation consultant for my baby's lip and tongue tie which was causing him delay in nursing and bottle feeding, and weight loss. After the frenectomy that Dr. Pinto performed on our 8 day old infant, we completed the after care that she prescribed. Baby gradually improved and three months later you'd never know that he was born with a tie. Breast feeding is no longer painful, he's at the top of percentiles for his age (after having dropped 12% weight in the first week) and he is meeting developmental milestones. We're so thankful that we received her help and early intervention! |