What is tongue-tie, and what are the main symptoms?
Written in association with:
Family doctor
Published: 18/01/2024
Edited by: Conor Lynch
In this article below, esteemed lactation consultant and tongue-tie and infant feeding specialist, Dr Sharon Silberstein, explains what tongue-tie is, outlines the various associated symptoms, and tells us why it is so important to treat the condition.
What is tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. It is present at birth and is caused by an unusually short, thick, or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) that tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. This can interfere with breastfeeding and affect the way a child eats, speaks, and swallows.
What are the symptoms of tongue-tie?
Symptoms of tongue-tie include difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving the tongue from side to side, trouble sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth, and a tongue that appears notched or heart-shaped when stuck out. Some symptoms of tongue-tie in mothers include painful feeding, cracked nipples, misshapen and white nipples, painful latch, engorged breasts, recurrent blocked ducts, and mastitis.
In babies, symptoms can include a white membrane visible under the tongue when crying, a heart-shaped tongue, inability to open their mouths wide, restricted tongue mobility, slow weight gain, clicking sound during feeds, sucking cheeks in, gulping and spluttering, colic, screaming after feeds, fussiness on the breast, sliding off during a feed, dribbling down the side of the mouth, reflux, and spitting up.
What should parents do if they notice signs of tongue-tie?
If your baby has signs of tongue-tie that cause problems, such as having trouble breastfeeding, or if your older child complains of tongue problems that interfere with eating, speaking, or reaching the back teeth, you should see a trained tongue-tie specialist.
What complications can untreated tongue-tie lead to?
Tongue-tie can lead to complications such as breastfeeding problems, speech difficulties, poor oral hygiene, and challenges with other oral activities. If a tongue-tie is symptomatic, it would be recommended to correct it via a tongue-tie procedure.
In what ways can tongue-tie affect babies?
It is important to note that tongue-tie can affect a baby’s oral development, as well as the way he or she eats, speaks, and swallows. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect your child has tongue-tie.
What are the main treatment options?
If the mother has received breastfeeding support and correcting latch and positioning don’t have enough effect, then surgical treatment as soon as possible is advisable. This will help mothers continue breastfeeding instead of switching to formula.
What is the surgical procedure for tongue-tie?
A frenulotomy is a procedure can be carried out in the hospital, often also in a home environment and at a doctor’s surgery. Experienced practitioners will be able to carry out the procedure without general anaesthetic until the age of around one year. There is a very low risk for bleeding or infections and the tongue tie procedure is considered a generally safe routine procedure.
If you wish to make an appointment with Dr Sharon Silberstein today, just visit her Top Doctors profile to do so.