LEXINGTON, KY – A Lexington family dental office has a new procedure that can help infants who have trouble breastfeeding.

About 10 percent of infants struggle with being tongue-tied or lip-tied. This makes it difficult for the baby to get the proper nutrition and can create issues like poor milk supply and discomfort for the mother.

“Many mothers who have babies that are tongue-tied or lip-tied have problems getting their child to properly latch and can even have trouble bottle feeding,” said Dr. Patricia Takacs, who operates Beaumont Family Dentistry. “These problems are often not immediately discovered at birth, but common indicators include discomfort for the mother, a shallow latch or tense pressure during nursing.”

A tongue tie or lip tie happens when the frenulum, the muscle that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is tight and restricts movement. Without the proper mobility, the infant has trouble feeding from a bottle or nursing from their mother. If the tongue tie or lip tie is not resolved at an early age, it can create gaps in the teeth and speech problems.

Dr. Takacs offers a special procedure for children who are tongue-tied or lip-tied. The office uses lasers to eliminate the problem. Infants who receive the laser treatment are immediately reunited with their mothers to nurse.

Local childcare specialists often refer parents to Beaumont Family Dentistry when the child has symptoms of being lip-tied or tongue-tied.

“It’s rewarding to see the relief on the mom’s face when we correct these issues,” Dr. Takacs said. “Parents of young children have enough to worry about, and we’re happy to resolve this problem and get their infant nursing better.”

Beaumont Family Dentistry’s three locations offer comprehensive care in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, orthodontics, laser dentistry, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, and sleep apnea treatment. Individual services include cleanings and exams, oral cancer screenings, crowns, bridges, veneers, Lumineers, full-mouth reconstructions, oral and IV sedation, dentures, sleep apnea appliances, Invisalign, Fastbraces, CEREC same-day crowns and dental implants.

Beaumont Family Dentistry has provided quality dentistry to Lexington residents for more than 30 years. The large Lexington dental team of 50 staff members consists of extensively trained doctors, hygienists, assistants and front office staff, many of whom have been with the practice for more than 15 years.

Each of Beaumont Family Dentistry’s three locations is equipped with CEREC same-day crowns. Using CEREC, Beaumont Family Dentistry dentists can prepare and restore teeth with natural-looking porcelain crowns in just one day.

Dr. Takacs credits her grandfather, who was a dentist, for influencing her career path. She attended West Virginia University and was accepted into dental school after her junior year. She went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry with high honors in 1983. Before attending dental school, she worked in a dental office in Vienna and Williamstown, WV.

Dr. Takacs is a Master Affiliate for Fastbraces, and an Elite Preferred Provider of Invisalign, a certification earned by few dentists. Fastbraces is designed to reduce orthodontic treatment time from two to three years to three months to a year. Invisalign uses clear aligners that gradually straighten teeth. The treatment is virtually invisible, and the aligners can be easily removed for eating and cleaning.

Dr. Takacs has advanced training from the Spear Learning Continuum and has completed a mini residency in sleep medicine at Tufts University. She holds memberships with the American Dental Association, Kentucky Dental Association, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Bluegrass Dental Society, Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation, Academy of Computerized Dentistry, Academy of Gp Orthodontics and Academy of Laser Dentistry.

Beaumont Family Dentistry supports the Lexington Humane Society, God’s Pantry and the Lexington Refuge for Women.

Beaumont Family Dentistry in Lexington has three locations: 3141 Beaumont Centre Cir., Ste. 300; 100 Trade St., Ste. 225; and 2408 Sir Barton Way, Ste. 225. To learn about Dr. Takacs or the CEREC same-day crowns at Beaumont Family Dentistry, visit the website www.beaumontfamilydentistry.com.