Dr. Julie Davis

Maternity leave complete, first week back at work in the books, and heading into week 2 at the office! ☑️☑️☑️

The first week was challenging… being a working mom is no joke! It did feel good to be back. I definitely thrive with a set schedule, but I miss the girls like crazy!

It’s exhausting trying to coordinate my pumping schedule, my patient schedule, fitting in nursing on my work days and quality time with my girls! I want to make sure I pump enough so my supply doesn’t go down, but my goal is to continue breast feeding… can I find the balance?

Plus, my oldest is needing me more than ever so I am trying to give her ten minutes of my undivided attention when I get home from work (which is right when I need to breast feed).

Any tips from experienced moms out there??

Shout out to my hubby! He’s holding down the fort for the next 5 weeks on paternity leave! His support has been incredible… he even brought the baby to the office for nursing on my lunch break!

Happy Holidays! (Belated) I’m Dr. Julie Davis - general dentist in Park Ridge, IL (Chicagoish), mom to 2 little ladies and wife to my handsome husband! I took a few days off social media, but with so many new faces following along the past few months I want to re-introduce myself. Here are some things to know about me:

🦷 I see patients of all ages and have done a lot of cosmetics over the last few years! There was a day that I saw both a 2 year old and a 95 year old… how cool is that!?

🦷 I share dental tips and tricks that come up in my everyday life with my family and patients… many of my posts are kid related because my life outside the dental office is filled with my girls!

🦷 Over the last 2 years, I have developed a passion for children’s airway and how it relates to dental crowding, tongue tie and growth. This love began when I had nursing trouble due to a posterior tongue tie with my first daughter. I have learned how to diagnose and treat tongue tie. I have learned to measure dental images of children to evaluate how the jaws relate, which can impact breathing, sleep and behavior. It’s amazing how our kids inspire us and they don’t even know it!

🦷 My husband is an amazing support for me through the challenges of being a working mom with a passion to keep learning and growing. It’s hard to do it all. He also wants nothing to do with teeth. 😂 He manages education reform research for The Crime and Ed Lab at University of Chicago.

Comment below on what I should be posting about next! I love developing content through my followers questions. FOLLOW ME so you don’t miss the info!

5 tongue and lip tie releases at 6 days old!
Tongue Tie Journey [Part 3]

👅 Upper Lip
👅 Upper Right Cheek
👅 Upper Left Cheek
👅 Lower Lop
👅 Tongue

As my husband drove us to Mac’s tongue and lip evaluation + release appointment, I was nervous. I knew I was making the right decision and working with the best surgeon, but that didn’t seem to be making it easier to be the patient.

Dr. Geivelis’s thorough evaluation put me at ease. He takes his time to evaluate and then made me feel comfortable with the decision to have the procedure done.

5 ties were identified and recommended for release.
➡️Dr. G showed me the notch in her upper gums… “muscle always win over bone,” he said. The muscle was so tight, even in utero, that the bone couldn’t grow there and the notch was formed.
➡️Although she could stick her tongue past her lower gums, she could not raise that back of her tongue, which is essential for breastfeeding. This is called posterior tongue tie.
➡️He said she has been chomping down causing the pain and wounds because her ties are so tight. She cannot pull the ni**le in. She can only chomp chomp chomp to squeeze milk out.

Dr. G and his chief surgical assistant took Mac for the procedure. Parents are not allowed to watch. Jill, my IBCLC, was at the appointment to help with the first latch post release.

Mac was gone for 20 minutes.
All 5 ties were released.
She came back to the room happily sucking on Dr. G’s finger! No tears!

First latch…. Immediately reduced pain! Yay!! My lacerations healed within about 5 days of the appointment!

FOLLOW ME to learn about the daily stretches needed 6 times a day after release!

Special note: Although I chose to breastfeed and this is my journey, please do not feel you have to! A fed baby with formula or breast milk and a happy mom are the most essential things the first few months!