Tongue tie | Dr. Dayanand Shirol M.D.S.

Tongue-tie and Lip-tie

What is tongue-tie or lip-tie?

Normally, the tongue is connected to the floor of the mouth by a band of tissue known as the lingual frenum.

Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is an inborn variation in this structure, wherein the lingual frenum may be short, thick or attached too close to the tip of tongue, restricting movement of the tongue.

A lip–tie is a condition where the skin of the upper lip is attached to the gums in a way that restricts lip movement.

Effects

Both tongue-tie and lip-tie can interfere with an infant’s ability to latch properly during breastfeeding, which may lead to difficulties for the baby and discomfort or other issues for the mother.

If left untreated, it can lead to problems in speech, oral hygiene, dental spacings, sleep, or breathing problems.

With the additional special training and years of expertise in identifying and managing a range of tongue-related conditions, Dr. Shirol works closely alongside a dedicated team of Pediatricians and Lactation Specialists to provide comprehensive care.

Treatment

A careful assessment of the infant by Dr. Shirol can help determine whether intervention is necessary and establish how urgent treatment is required.

Laser frenotomy is a safe, efficient, and minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser to quickly release tongue-tie, allowing for improved tongue mobility. After making the area numb with anesthesia, a laser is used to release the tongue or lip tie. The advantages of laser treatment include minimal or no bleeding, least discomfort for the infant, faster healing, and no need for sutures.

We encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies immediately after the laser frenotomy procedure. Sometimes, mothers may notice changes in their baby’s feeding right away, while for others, improvements become apparent gradually over several weeks to few months. Similarly, in older kids, the improvement in speech and dental spacing are seen gradually.

Post-Operative Care

After laser surgery, it is important to follow the below mentioned instructions:

Mothers can breastfeed the babies immediately after the surgery.
It’s normal to experience some discomfort in the first few days for the baby. Follow the doctor’s prescription to reduce such discomfort.
In general, it takes around 3-4 weeks for complete healing of the skin. Do not touch or disturb the surgical area. If needed, doctor may advise some massaging exercises.
The area may appear to have a black spotted appearance on the edges which may turn into white soft scab; do not panic. It is normal healing process.
For lip-tie surgery, the child may develop slight swelling on upper lip for initial 2-3 days. This is normal.
If your baby is a few months old, it may take a little longer for them to adjust and develop the proper feeding technique after the procedure.
A follow-up appointment is needed after 2-3 weeks.
Apart from this, regular follow up with the concerned Lactation Specialist or Pediatrician is important to ensure the proper overall growth of the infant.