Tongue-Tie
What is a tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie is a condition where the lingual frenulum, a band of tissue beneath the tongue, is abnormally short, thick, or tight. This can make it challenging for kids to extend or raise their tongues. Tongue-tie can have an impact on a kid's ability to eat, speak, and swallow, and it can also cause difficulties with breastfeeding.
What is a lip-tie?
Lip-tie is a condition where the upper lip is abnormally attached to the gum tissue. This attachment is known as the frenum. An abnormal frenum can be thick, wide, or positioned too close to the gum ridge, leading to various issues, such as difficulties with breastfeeding, among others.
Treatment Diagnosis
The diagnosis relies on both the clinical appearance and a discussion to assess the potential presence of the following symptoms.
Factors that affect infants
- Difficulty establishing or maintaining a latch
- Inability to retain a pacifier in the mouth
- Extended feeding sessions
- Still unsatisfied after prolonged feeds
- Frequently falling asleep during breastfeeding
- Gnawing or chewing on the nipple
- Inadequate weight gain and failure to thrive
Factors related to the mother
- Creased, flattened or blanched nipples
- Bleeding nipples
- Painful latch
- Incomplete breast drainage
- Infected or plugged ducts
- Mastitis or Thrush
Before any frenectomy procedure, a consultation with a pediatric dentist is essential. During this consultation, the impact of the ties on the child and the potential benefits of the procedure will be discussed. At this point, the parents will have the opportunity to decide how they would like to proceed.
