Should I get my baby tongue-tie snipped?

Medical experts don’t routinely ‘snip’ a tongue-tie, but the procedure is often recommended to improve breastfeeding.

What does it mean when a baby gets their tongue clipped?

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. If necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum (frenotomy).

Is tongue-tie a birth defect?

Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a congenital condition (the child is born with it) in which a child’s tongue remains attached to the bottom (floor) of his or her mouth. This happens when the thin strip of tissue (lingual frenulum) connecting the tongue and the floor of the mouth is shorter than normal.

What happens if you don’t cut a tongue-tie?

Some of the problems that can occur when tongue tie is left untreated include the following: Oral health problems: These can occur in older children who still have tongue tie. This condition makes it harder to keep teeth clean, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.

How do they fix a tongue tied baby?

If necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum (frenotomy). If additional repair is needed or the lingual frenulum is too thick for a frenotomy, a more extensive procedure known as a frenuloplasty might be an option.

How long does it take to recover from tongue tie surgery?

It takes about 2 weeks for your child’s mouth to heal after a tongue-tie procedure. Laser tongue-tie surgery allows for a short recovery period. This is because the laser cauterizes the wound as it cuts.

How long is baby in pain after tongue tie release?

Aftercare for babies and young children after removal of a tongue tie and/or upper lip tie. Babies and young children can experiencee irritability for between 24 to 48 hours and then up until a few days after treatment. You can give pain relief such as Paracetamol (in a suppository form for babies).

Does a tongue-tie affect speech?

Tongue-tie will not affect a child’s ability to learn speech and will not cause speech delay, but it may cause issues with articulation, or the way the words are pronounced.