Welcoming a new bundle of joy into the family is an unforgettable moment filled with love and excitement. As a parent, you want the best for your child and do everything possible to prioritize their health and well-being.
Amidst parenthood’s joys, you may encounter hurdles that require understanding and proactive action. One such challenge that is common in infants is tongue tie.
This article will walk you through the essential aspects of tongue tie, from its definition to diagnosis and available treatment options.
Read: What to Expect in Tongue Tie Revision Treatment in Babies?
What is a Tongue Tie?
Also referred to as ankyloglossia, tongue tie is caused by the thin piece of skin (lingual frenulum) that joins the underside of the baby tongue to the base of the mouth, getting thicker, short, and tighter than normal.
This condition restricts normal tongue movement and affects other essential functions such as speech, breastfeeding, and oral hygiene.
Symptoms of Tongue Tie
Recognizing the signs of tongue tie early is crucial to promote your child’s development. The most common symptoms of tongue tie in newborns are:
- Difficulty latching when breastfeeding
- Constant hunger
- Suppressed weight gain
- Breastfeeding for more extended periods than normal
- A click sounds while feeding
If you are breastfeeding the child, you may experience the following symptoms also;
- Cracked or sore nipples
- Pain during nursing
- Inadequate milk supply
Symptoms of tongue tie in young children include;
- Strained speech, especially with sounds that require the child’s tongue to touch the upper front teeth or roof of their mouth, such as “t,” d,” s,” and “I.”
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty playing trumpet, English horn, and other wind instruments
- Difficulty licking ice cream
- Inability to stick their tongue out and up
- Inability to move the tongue sideways and outward
- Emotional and social challenges due to difficulty communicating like their friends.
Read: What to Expect After Tongue Tie Release?
Causes and Risk Factors of Tongue Tie
During normal fetal development, the tongue is fused with the floor of the mouth. As the fetus grows, the tongue detaches from the base of the mouth, leaving only a thin band of tissue called the lingual frenulum. This tissue connects the bottom of the tongue with the floor of the mouth.
As the baby grows, the lingual frenulum shrinks and becomes thin. However, in children with tongue tie, the band of tissue doesn’t shrink. It remains thick, hindering the easy movement of the tongue.
Read: What You Need to Know About Lip Tie Revision?
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s recommended that you consult a pediatrician immediately.
Early intervention will help treat the condition and cushion your child from other complications, such as difficult speech and oral infections.
The pediatrician will conduct a thorough examination and assess the baby’s ability to move the tongue freely.
Based on the assessment, the pediatrician may recommend speech therapy or tongue-tie surgery, commonly called frenuloplasty or frenotomy.
The surgery involves releasing or snipping the tight band tissue (lingual frenulum) to increase the tongue’s mobility.
Read: 5 Methods for Feeding Your Baby Affected by Tongue Tie
Supporting Your Child’s Recovery
After the surgery, the child may experience discomfort when breastfeeding, swallowing food or making sounds. Massages and gentle oral exercises are recommended to help speed up healing.
Such comforting and soothing activities will help your child feel more at ease as they recover.
More importantly, maintain oral hygiene to prevent infection as the wound heals. Gently wipe their mouth with a clean, wet towel after each feeding session to avoid the accumulation of plaque in the mouth.
For the first few days, you should limit your child’s diet to only baby formula and breast milk.
Slowly introduce soft meals after the first healing phase. To be on the safe side, take the child for regular checkups to allow the pediatrician to monitor the healing process.
Any infections will be detected during the checkups and quickly addressed.
If the baby is in pain, skin-to-skin contact and many cuddles can help them relax and ease the pain. A warm bath and latching the baby while at it will reduce the pain. Breastmilk slushes/ice chips can also help with the pain.
Read: What Is the Difference Between a Tongue Tie and a Lip Tie?
What Precautions Should I Take After Tongue-Tie Surgery?
If the pediatrician gives you the go-ahead to feed the child soft food, ensure the food is neither too hot nor cold. It should also not be spicy or contain sharp particles, as they could cause discomfort and prolong the healing time.
Avoid citrus foods, spitting, and sucking fluids through a straw. Also, brushing and rinsing with salt water will help prevent infections.
Read: Is Your Baby Struggling with Tongue Tie? Identify the Signs
Get Help
Tongue Tie Phoenix is a reputable and licensed health facility that provides tongue-tie treatment to infants and children. Our personnel are highly trained and accredited, so rest assured that your child is in safe hands.
Let us take care of your child’s oral health by booking an appointment today. We look forward to seeing your little champ.
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