TONGUE-TIE
Tongue-tie is a birth defect where a baby's tongue is connected to the floor of their mouth by a shorter strip of skin. Normally, this strip of skin separates before birth, allowing for normal tongue movement. However, in cases of tongue-tie, the strip of skin stays attached to the underside of the tongue.
Luckily, tongue-tie is a common condition that can be easily treated to prevent any negative impacts on a child's development. If left untreated, it can lead to issues such as malnourishment, speech difficulties, or poor oral hygiene.
Some signs of tongue-tie include:
- Difficulty in breastfeeding due to limited tongue movement.
- Having trouble raising the tongue or shifting it horizontally
- Difficulty sticking the tongue out
- When the tongue is extended, it appears either notched or in the shape of a heart.
TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT
The medical procedure used to address tongue-tie in infants is known as a frenotomy, a straightforward surgical process. The doctor evaluates the lingual frenulum and then utilizes either sterile scissors or a laser to sever the frenulum. Typically, stitches are not necessary due to the limited number of nerve endings and blood vessels in the lingual frenulum. The procedure only requires a local anesthetic.
For older children and adults with tongue-tie, frenotomy is similar to the infant procedure but is often conducted under general anesthesia and may involve stitches. In certain instances, speech therapy may also be recommended.