A tongue tie can be a concerning condition in children. Parents are often made aware of this condition when a child is still a newborn. According to the NLM, tongue ties occur more often in males than in females at a ratio of 1:3. If you suspect your child has this condition, here is your guide to getting help.

Talk With Medical Professionals

A tongue tie cannot be corrected unless a team of medical professionals deems it necessary. You’ll want to start this process by talking with your child’s doctor. Along with your regular pediatrician, you’ll also need to have approval from an ENT and possibly a speech therapist. These professionals can help you better understand your child’s condition and if treatment is required.

Learn About Your Options

For some children, correction isn’t needed because the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth will grow and stretch naturally with the child. If the child isn’t having trouble eating or speaking, most medical professionals will not recommend tongue tie surgery, but will instead allow the tongue to stretch out naturally. Another option would be surgery. This is often recommended if it's determined to be severe and doesn’t appear that it will stretch out on its own. A qualified dentist will be able to help with the release treatment.

Tongue Tie Surgery Process

This correction is a quick and easy procedure that can be done as an outpatient. A scalpel, scissors, or a laser is used to quickly snip the tissue freeing the tongue to move. There is very little recovery time and very young children don’t even remember having the procedure done.

Failure to Treat Tongue Tie

If the tongue tie doesn’t resolve itself and the parent doesn’t have the surgery done, the condition will continue to cause issues for the child throughout life. These problems can include trouble eating, trouble speaking, and possibly even trouble swallowing. This can be a lifelong issue that affects many areas of your child’s life. It’s best to get tongue tie correction done when a child is very young to avoid these potential problems.

These are just a few facts on this condition. Don't let your child's tongue tie go untreated. To learn more about tongue tie and tongue tie correction, please contact Dentistry With a Touch of Art today.