Does your baby struggle to latch during feedings? Are they frequently fussy, make clicking sounds while nursing, or seem constantly hungry despite lengthy feeding sessions? These challenges might point to a tongue tie, a common condition that can significantly impact your infant’s ability to feed and breathe comfortably.
At Airway Dental and More, we understand the challenges parents face when caring for an infant with a tongue tie. Our team provides comprehensive evaluations and gentle, effective treatments to address tongue ties in infants, helping to restore proper feeding and support healthy oral development for your child.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the thin tissue under the tongue is too short or too tight. This restricts the tongue’s movement, affecting your child’s ability to breastfeed effectively, and may cause long-term oral development issues.
This condition varies in severity, with some babies having mild restrictions while others experience significant limitations in tongue movement. The band of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth normally separates before birth, but when this doesn’t occur, a tongue tie results. It’s important to note tongue ties can also affect breathing, oral development, and proper oral rest posture. Because of this, early identification and intervention are vital to ensure a healthy future for your child.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Tie in Infants
Because diagnosis guidelines vary, studies show tongue ties affect approximately 4%-10% of newborns. Recognizing the early warning signs of a tongue tie can help address the issue before it becomes a more significant condition. Some common indicators of a tongue tie include:
- Difficulty latching onto the breast or maintaining a latch during feeding
- Clicking sounds while nursing
- Prolonged feeding sessions, but seeming hungry shortly after
- Poor weight gain despite frequent feeding
- Gassiness or colic-like symptoms due to excessive air intake during feeding
- Maternal nipple pain, damage, or infection due to improper latch
- Fussiness during or after feeding sessions
- Visible restriction of tongue movement, especially when crying
A key visual sign that your infant may have a tongue tie is when they attempt to stick out their tongue, and the tip creates a heart or notched shape instead of extending normally. You might also notice your baby’s tongue cannot reach the roof of their mouth or extend beyond the lower gum line. If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact us at Airway Dental and More to help determine if treatment is necessary.
How Tongue Ties Are Diagnosed
Proper tongue tie diagnosis involves a thorough oral examination by a qualified healthcare professional. During this assessment, your dentist will:
- Examine the appearance of the lingual frenulum, or tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, and its attachment points
- Test the mobility and function of the tongue through various movements
- Assess feeding efficiency and any associated issues
- Evaluate the impact on maternal comfort during breastfeeding
Tongue ties are classified based on their severity and location. The Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function is one standardized method for evaluating tongue ties. This test examines both the appearance and function of your child’s tongue to determine if intervention is necessary.
A comprehensive evaluation often includes input from multiple specialists, including lactation consultants, pediatric dentists, feeding therapists, and speech pathologists, to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Infant Tongue Ties
When a tongue tie significantly impacts feeding or is likely to affect future development, your dentist will likely recommend treatment. The primary treatment options for correcting a tongue tie include a frenotomy and laser-assisted frenectomy.
Frenotomy
A frenotomy is a quick procedure where the tight band of tissue below the tongue is cut to release the tongue tie. For infants, this procedure:
- Takes only a few minutes to perform
- Requires minimal or no anesthesia
- Causes little discomfort and minimal bleeding
- Allows immediate improvement in tongue mobility
- Can be performed in an office setting
After a frenotomy, babies can typically breastfeed right away, often with noticeable improvement in latch and feeding efficiency.
Frenectomy with Laser Technology
At Airway Dental and More, we offer state-of-the-art laser frenectomy procedures. Laser technology provides several advantages over traditional methods, including:
- Precise tissue removal with minimal trauma
- Reduced bleeding during the procedure
- Lower risk of infection
- Faster healing time
- Less post-procedure discomfort for the infant
Laser treatment is especially beneficial for more significant tongue ties or in cases where a more precise approach is needed.
Post-Treatment Care and Exercises
Proper aftercare is essential for recovery and improved function following any tongue tie release procedure. We recommend the following to help promote quality healing:
- Regular active wound management exercises to prevent reattachment
- Continued breastfeeding or bottle feeding to encourage proper tongue movement
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and improvement
- Possible referral to a lactation consultant to improve feeding techniques
These exercises help maintain the results of the procedure and encourage proper tongue function as your baby grows.
Choose Airway Dental and More for Your Infant’s Tongue Tie Treatment
If you suspect your infant has a tongue tie, seeking evaluation and treatment from experienced professionals is crucial. At Airway Dental and More, we provide excellence in dental care, focusing on airway health beginning in infancy. Our team understands the delicate nature of treating tongue ties in infants and uses top-notch technology to ensure the most comfortable experience possible.
Our approach to tongue tie treatment emphasizes minimal intervention with maximum benefit, helping your baby achieve proper feeding and setting the foundation for healthy oral development. For compassionate, experienced care for your infant’s tongue tie or other oral concerns, contact Airway Dental and More at (904) 268-4466 or through our contact form.