A tongue tie is a condition in which your child’s tongue remains attached to the floor of their mouth, restricting the tongue’s movement. This occurs when the lingual frenulum- which is the thin strip of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth- is shorter and thicker than usual.
In most cases, pediatricians in Dubai diagnose a tongue tie early on, especially when a newborn is unable to breastfeed successfully due to difficulty with latching. Not all tongue ties cause difficulties and need intervention. Even so, it’s best to receive an early diagnosis from a pediatrician so that they can monitor its effects on your child’s wellbeing and make an informed treatment decision if required.
In this article, we will learn more about tongue tie, how it affects your child’s overall health and development and why it’s important to get a tongue tie surgery at the earliest as recommended by your child’s pediatrician in Dubai.
What causes a tongue tie?
Tongue tie is a congenital condition- meaning that babies are born with it. Studies show that tongue-tie is present in 4% to 11% of newborns. While the exact reason is not known, tongue tie is considered to be hereditary in many cases.
Normally, the lingual frenulum separates when babies are born, allowing the tongue a wide range of motion. When this band of tissue remains in place even after birth, it is attributed to a tongue tie, which makes it difficult for the newborn to move their tongue around. Tongue tie is more common in boys than in girls, especially in children with a family history of tongue tie.
Some of the common symptoms of tongue tie include-
– Difficulty in moving the tongue up or from side to side
– Difficulty in moving the tongue forward and out of the mouth
– A notched “heart-shaped” end when sticking the tongue out
How does tongue tie affect your child’s well-being?
If your baby has a tongue tie, one of the most telltale signs will be his inability to latch and breastfeed properly. When newborns have a good latch, their tongue will be extended and the nipple and breast will be in the baby’s mouth while suckling. Babies born with tongue ties may not be able to latch effectively, which interferes with their feeding. Improper latching and breastfeeding due to tongue tie can cause-
– Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding, leading to slow weight gain
– Long and frequent periods of feeding
– Baby seems unsatisfied and unsettled even after a feeding session
– Clicking noises when feeding
– Refusing to feed
– Reduced milk supply, breast engorgement, and sore or cracked nipples for the mother
While the condition does not cause any serious troubles for your child, overlooking it and leaving it untreated may affect the quality of your child’s life. Here are a few other problems that occur due to tongue tie as the child grows-
– Oral health problems are often found in older children with tongue ties. As the mobility of the tongue is restricted, it becomes harder for the child to keep their teeth and gums clean during and after meals, leading to cavities and gum problems.
– Children with tongue tie may also have issues learning to speak, especially when it comes to pronouncing certain letters or making sounds such as “d,” “l,” “r,” “s,” “t,” “th,” “s,” and “z.”
– Tongue ties may also restrict children from enjoying activities such as licking an ice cream cone or playing a musical instrument such as a flute.
Sometimes, your child’s pediatrician may recommend a wait-and-watch approach for mild tongue ties, which could resolve naturally as the mouth develops.
For moderate to severe tongue ties, pediatricians in Dubai recommend corrective surgery. Tongue tie surgeries are simple procedures and can be done at any age, as recommended by your kid’s doctor.
Treatments for Tongue tie
A tongue tie is often diagnosed by your child’s pediatrician or pediatric dentist during routine checkups. Once diagnosed, the doctor may recommend a surgical correction depending on the severity of the tongue tie.
Today, pediatricians employ some of the latest technologies for tongue tie surgeries that are performed on children. These are-
– Frenectomy using radiofrequency method: This procedure is done at pediatric clinics on an outpatient basis. Younger babies with restricted tongue mobility benefit from this simple procedure. At our pediatric clinic in Dubai, we rely on this technique to minimize discomfort and ensure faster healing for the young patient. Here the pediatrician releases the lingual frenulum using a radiofrequency device, relieving the tongue of its immobility. The procedure has minimal bleeding and is recommended for tie varieties such as thick and veined tongue tie.
– Laser assisted method: It is another frenectomy procedure used to release a tongue tie. The procedure is very quick and takes only 2 to 3 minutes. The option is considered to be suitable for babies, older children and adults. While the procedure is generally performed by applying an analgesic gel, patients are expected to cooperate in keeping still throughout the procedure. This procedure also costs more than the radio frequency method.
Both radiofrequency methods and laser assisted methods are minimally invasive and are widely used these days for correcting tongue tie. Our pediatrician prefers the radiofrequency method due to its simplicity, minimal bleeding and faster healing capabilities. The radiofrequency procedure is also suitable for patients of all ages and types of tongue ties.
Takeaway
Tongue tie is a condition that can be easily reversed through a simple surgical procedure. The important thing here is to get an early diagnosis and treatment recommendation from your kid’s pediatrician and follow through with it as soon as possible. This ensures your little one’s health and well-being right from the start.
Book your appointment with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, pediatrician and tongue and lip-tie surgeon at myPediaclinic today for a comprehensive checkup and treatment recommendations.
