Dr. Maggie knows exactly what its like to be worried about your childs health while still managing your entire familys needs. After all, shes a mother of three herself! When you walk into our specialty dental office, you can rest assured that your little one will receive loving care from someone with experience being a mother. Between our gentle soft-tissue lasers and Dr. Maggies caring touch, well keep your child and yourself at ease throughout the entire treatment.
Not all lasers are created equal. Dr. Maggie Davis has invested in the top of the line CO2 Light Scalpel laser. This is different from a diode laser in that it does not touch the tissue to cut. The laser energy vaporizes the tissue on the surface, preventing trauma to underlying tissue. Less touching, means less collateral damage to neighboring tissue, thus decreasing overall inflammation. We use CO2 technology to prevent 'hunger strikes' and have happier babies who want to nurse immediately.
After the procedure is done, well give you and your child a chance to rest in one of our private post op rooms. You and your little one can take as much time as you need to recover in complete privacy until youre ready to return home. Breastfeeding can help relieve some of your childs discomfort, so well make sure you have a chance to do so undisturbed. Of course, if you have any questions about the healing process, you are always welcome to ask us.
Dr. Maggie Davis is a mom and pediatric dentist. She has been in practice in Pinellas County for over a decade, and it was after becoming a mom herself that she realized her passion for working with children with tongue and lip ties. When her first son was born he had difficulty nursing and like any devoted parent, the search was on to find answers for her baby. From there on, her journey has taken her to advanced courses throughout the country and led her to the creation of the Florida Tongue Tie Institute within her dental office. Keep reading below to see what sets her apart.
Dr. Maggie is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and Diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which is a respected qualifying status earned by fewer than three percent of all dentists. Dr. Maggie holds her Certification in Infant and Pediatric Tongue Ties and Lip Ties given by the American Board of Laser Surgery. She is a graduate of Dr. Richard Baxters Tongue Tie Academy and TOTS: Tethered Oral Tissue program. In regard to frenulum evaluations, as a Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Maggie is qualified in working in small mouths and has all the necessary experience & equipment, including a CO2 Light Scalpel laser. She has performed hundreds of tongue and lip tie releases with a laser.
At the Florida Tongue Tie Institute, we believe you can never stop learning. This is why Dr. Maggie continues to study from the nations best Pediatric Dentists, Laser Clinicians, Lactation Consultants, Speech Therapists and Myofascial Experts. She is a Diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which means that she has successfully completed voluntary examinations and demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill. She is also a member of:
At home, Dr. Maggie loves spending time with her super outdoorsy family. Her husband Cliff is a physician, and they have three sons who are obsessed with wrestling and biking. Her oldest son Colton is now age 8, then Camden age 6, and Mason who is age 3. Its hard to believe all of Dr. Maggies breastfed little babies are now becoming big boys!
As for personal hobbies, Dr. Maggie enjoys going with the kids on various outdoor adventures, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and mountain climbing. Shes definitely a natural tomboy and always wants to tag along when her husband and sons try to go off and do boy things without her. When she has a few hours of me time, she enjoys doing BodyPump at the YMCA or exercising on her Peloton bike.
Prior to having a frenectomy completed, all babies should be evaluated by a lactation consultant, myofunctional therapist, or speech language pathologist (SLP) trained in infant feeding. All children or teens having speech issues should also be evaluated by a trained SLP or myofunctional therapist. If symptoms cannot be eliminated non-surgically, then Dr. Maggie is happy to evaluate your child. If a laser frenectomy is required, then once it has been performed, the next step is to help a patient relearn how to use their tongue and lips properly when it comes to eating and speaking. For infants, this might involve the child and mother working with a myofunctional therapist and lactation consultant to ensure proper and consistent latching and swallowing. With older patients, dedicated speech therapy from a certified professional can help resolve longstanding impediments that have been resistant to other forms of treatment.
Prior to having a frenectomy completed, all babies should be evaluated by a lactation consultant and speech language pathologist (SLP) trained in infant feeding. All children or teens having speech issues should also be evaluated by a trained SLP. If symptoms cannot be eliminated non-surgically, then Dr. Maggie is happy to evaluate your child. If a laser frenectomy is required, then once it has been performed, the next step is to help a patient relearn how to use their tongue and lips properly when it comes to eating and speaking. For infants, this might involve the child and mother working with a myofunctional therapist and lactation consultant to ensure proper and consistent latching and swallowing. With older patients, dedicated speech therapy from a certified professional can help resolve longstanding impediments that have been resistant to other forms of treatment.
Lactation consultants are nursing professionals who help mothers overcome breastfeeding challenges. They can address issues such as poor milk supply, breast and nipple pain, difficulty latching, finding comfortable nursing positions and so much more.
Some speech language pathologists have years of specialty training to become experts in pediatric feeding and swallowing. They can correctly diagnose and provide therapy for dysphagia (abnormal swallowing) and improper function of the tongue in infants and children.
These therapist specialize in children with articulation disorders, dysarthria, apraxia, phonological disorders and oral habits (ex: tongue thrust, thumb sucking, pacifier use, nail biting). Some of these SLPs have specialty training on Myofunctional Therapy which aims to correct improper tongue muscles by teaching the child to engage the muscles to the appropriate position. The goal of therapy is to facilitate proper nasal breathing by emphasizing the correct resting posture of the tongue and lips. They can work in outpatient therapy clinics, schools, home health, or telehealth.
Stress and trauma to the body and spine can occur with the birthing process. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system--- comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system.
Fascia is connective tissue that runs throughout our bodies and can develop restrictions. Through precise and sustained pressure on the whole-body, myofascial release aims to release these restrictions naturally.
A healthy airway is the foundation for optimal health at any age and is the foundation for healthy and balanced orthodontic treatment goals. This specialty requires advanced training in oral fascial myology and an awareness to identify breathing-related sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Children can often experience sleep disordered breathing including snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleeping, obstructive events (apnea), and behavioral changes during the day. Trained ENTs can evaluate your childs airway to and potentially perform sleep studies (polysomnography) to correctly diagnose these disorders.