When a child is born with tongue-tie, also known as tethered oral tissue (TOT), the disease may or may not resolve. If it doesn’t, tongue tie surgery is required to avoid complications that can affect you from head to toe. If a prior doctor or dentist informed you that your child has a tongue-tie, you may be wondering if the surgery is worthwhile. Here, you can discover what occurs if you do not treat your child’s tongue-tie before making your decision.
What are the symptoms of tongue-tie?
Tongue tie can result in any of the following symptoms:
- Having difficulty moving the tongue up or from side to side.
- When the tongue is out, it has a notched appearance.
- Difficulty getting the tongue out of the mouth.
- If your child is having difficulty breastfeeding, speaking, or eating, you should have their condition evaluated. This can help decide whether your child needs treatment and what form of it would be most effective.
Why is tongue-tie surgery necessary?
Tongue-tie surgery or tongue tie release is a relatively simple treatment, but when is it appropriate to have it done? It is important to reach out to your pediatricians to ensure infant weight gain is appropriate and to reach out to lactation to assist the patient with proper latching to avoid breakdown and pain.
Around 63% of newborns who were initially referred for tongue-tie surgery and who had breastfeeding difficulties did not have the operation. This is because the moms and their newborns were referred to nursing and speech-language evaluation professionals who were able to help them without requiring surgery. You should further discuss the risks and advantages of a procedure with your child’s provider.
What are the risks of a tongue tie?
This condition may not cause your child any serious problems. However, tongue ties might carry problems that damage your child’s quality of life in some circumstances.
The following are some of the issues that can arise if tongue tie is not treated:
- Smile issues: Dental health issues might arise in older children who still have tongue ties. This disorder makes it more difficult to keep teeth clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Gaps between the front and bottom teeth are also possible.
- Speaking problems: Children with tongue ties may struggle to learn to talk, especially when attempting to pronounce a few letters or sounds, such as “th” and “r.”
- Breastfeeding difficulties: Babies with tongue-tie have a hard time breastfeeding properly. This can lead to poor nutrition and interfere with a baby’s ability to grow and develop.
- Difficulties with daily activities: Children with tongue tie may have difficulties with activities using the mouth, such as playing a flute or other musical instrument or eating specific foods.
How is tongue tie treated?
Children who require treatment for tongue ties can have surgery to repair the issue at tongue tie center in Tampa. A frenectomy is a straightforward surgical procedure in which the frenum is removed from the mouth. The frenum is a connective tissue membrane that connects two surfaces within the mouth. This procedure can be completed using painless laser therapy.
Looking for a Trustworthy Treatment for Tongue Tie?
With the proper expertise, curing tongue-tie at any age is simple. Babies often do not require any additional therapy, but children and adults may require additional treatments to reverse the symptoms of untreated tongue-tie.
Whether you are an adult with a tongue tie or have a kid or baby who you fear has a tongue tie, we strongly advise you to schedule a consultation with our Tampa Tongue Tie Center dentists. To schedule an appointment, call us today.