Are you a new mother experiencing breastfeeding challenges due to ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as “tongue-tie”? Seeing your baby struggle to feed can be heartbreaking.
While you may be considering frenotomy (tongue-tie surgery), the breastfeeding pain after the procedure can deter many mothers. Also, ankyloglossia overdiagnosis often leads to unnecessary tongue-tie surgery.
Tongue-Tie vs. Lip-Tie — What’s the Difference?
These two medical conditions are often confused, but they are not the same. Tongue-tie hinders tongue movement (which does impact feeding), while lip tie restricts the upper lip, affecting latch and potentially causing a gap between front teeth. It is difficult to determine at the infant stage if tongue-tie will affect speech.
When Do Frenums Become an Orthodontic Concern?
While tongue ties are often discussed regarding infants and feeding, they generally do not become an orthodontic concern until a child is older. Around age 7 or older, a tight frenum can sometimes cause spacing issues between the front teeth (diastema) or gum recession. At that stage, your orthodontist can evaluate if treatment is necessary for alignment purposes.
When Is Tongue-Tie Surgery Necessary?
Many parents rush into tongue-tie surgery to attain a quick fix for a troublesome problem. However, a restricted frenulum (the fold of flexible tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) often is not the only issue that causes feeding difficulties.
Successful breastfeeding depends on a range of factors, including the proper coordination of muscles, the baby’s latch technique and the mother’s comfort level. A multidisciplinary approach, encompassing treatment methods like lactation consultation and speech-language pathology, can often resolve these corresponding issues and eliminate the need for tongue-tie surgery.
Evaluating the Research
Medical research indicates an increasing trend toward ankyloglossia overdiagnosis and related tongue-tie surgical procedures. According to a 2019 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, there was a 10-fold increase in the number of frenotomy surgeries from 1997 and 2012.
Additionally, the researchers discovered that 63% of babies referred for a tongue-tie procedure did not actually need surgery. These infants were able to breastfeed successfully after receiving support from a feeding evaluation team implementing various nonsurgical treatment methodologies.
What Are the Risks of Infant Frenotomy?
It is crucial to be aware of the tongue-tie surgery risks babies and mothers may face. Potential complications include excessive bleeding, infection, the formation of scar tissue and significant post-operative pain for the infant, resulting in feeding aversion.
Mothers who notice posterior tongue-tie symptoms like subtle feeding, sleep, and speech issues or reflux can benefit from seeking a second opinion before electing surgery.
Why Trust Us?
At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in infant dentistry in Portland with a ‘kids-first’ philosophy. If you are concerned about your baby’s oral development, we are here to monitor their growth. For specific concerns regarding breastfeeding or latching, we recommend working with a certified lactation consultant alongside your pediatric dental visits.
Schedule a Routine Checkup Today
If you’re concerned that tongue tie could be impacting your infant’s ability to feed, Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics can help. Contact us to schedule a routine checkup today.
Dr. Dana grew up in Portland and went to Temple University in Philadelphia, PA for dental school. She then moved to Anchorage, AK for her residency in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Dana takes a holistic approach to pediatric dentistry & is able to use her own parenting experience to sympathize and understand each family’s unique dynamic.
