Sometimes when you look at a newborn baby, or when you're breastfeeding, you might think, "Oh my, is there something wrong with my baby's tongue?" This fear can be especially heightened if you've heard of something called 'tongue tie' or 'ankyloglossia.' So, today we'll talk about what this condition called tongue tie really is, why it happens, and what can be done about it, very simply.
What is Tongue Tie?
Simply put, tongue-tie is a condition where a small membrane (called the frenulum) under the tongue becomes too short or tight, restricting the free movement of the tongue. Imagine that your tongue is tied to the underside of your mouth with a small rope. It becomes difficult to stick your tongue out, touch your palate, or move it around your teeth, right? That's what happens in this situation. Medically, this condition is called Ankyloglossia .
Normally, a healthy tongue can extend past the lower lip, touch the roof of the mouth, and push the upper teeth inward. But when the frenulum, the membrane under the tongue, is tight, the tongue is unable to do these things. Sometimes, when the tongue is extended, the tip of the tongue may appear to be pulled inward, forming a heart-shaped shape.
How common is this condition among babies?
Tongue-tie is a condition that is more common in newborns than you might think. Some studies suggest that between 4% and 11% of babies have this condition. That means about four to ten out of every hundred babies. It can sometimes run in families. That means if both parents had it as children, there is a small chance that the baby will also have it. It is also said that this condition is slightly more common in boys than girls.
What problems can occur due to tongue-tie?
Not every baby or child with a tongue tie will have problems. However, some may experience various problems.
Problems with breastfeeding babies
- Breastfeeding difficulties: This is the most common problem.
- The baby cannot latch on to the breast properly. He cannot use his tongue properly, so he cannot take the right amount of breast milk into his mouth.
- A mother's nipples can become sore, cracked, or sore. This can make the mother tired of breastfeeding.
- The baby may not be able to suckle enough milk, which may result in poor weight gain. Even after the milk is finished, the baby may still feel hungry.
- A 'clicking' sound may be heard when the milk is being sucked in. This means that a proper seal is not being formed between the baby's mouth and the breast.
- The baby may cry frequently and feel unsatisfied with the milk. The feeding time may also be very long.
- The baby may swallow too much air, which can cause stomach upset and gas.
- Problems with bottle feeding:
- It can be difficult to hold the bottle nipple in your mouth properly.
- Milk can escape from both sides of the mouth.
Problems that may arise in older children and adults
- Speech problems:
- Some letters, especially those that are placed on the roof of the tongue and are placed on the teeth, can be difficult to pronounce. For example, letters like 'ta', 'da', 'sa', 'z', 'tha', 'da', 'na', 'la', and 'ra'.
- However, it is important to remember that not all tongue-tie causes speech disorders . Many children learn to speak clearly even with this condition.
- Eating difficulties:
- Sometimes it's difficult to move food around in your mouth and chew it well.
- This can also affect things like licking an ice cream, sucking a lollipop, or moving food from one side of the mouth to the other.
- Oral hygiene problems:
- It can be difficult to clean your teeth with your tongue and remove food particles stuck in your mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay. It can also be difficult to keep the inside of your mouth clean because your tongue doesn't touch the roof of your mouth properly.
- Other issues:
- Sometimes a gap can occur between the two front teeth of the lower jaw.
- People who play wind instruments may experience discomfort.
- It is said that things like kissing can sometimes have an effect, but it varies greatly from person to person.
How do doctors accurately diagnose this condition?
Usually, your pediatrician , family doctor, or lactation consultant will recognize this condition.
- They carefully examine the inside of the baby's mouth. They look at what the frenulum (the membrane under the tongue) looks like, how long it is, how tight it is, and where it attaches to the tongue.
- The baby's tongue movements are checked - how far the tongue can be stuck out, raised, and turned from side to side.
- The mother is asked about breastfeeding and any difficulties she may have. For example, questions like, 'Is the baby happy when he finishes feeding? Do your nipples hurt?'
- Sometimes there can be different levels of tongue tie. Some are very small (anterior tongue tie - closer to the front of the tongue), which does not have much effect. Some are located at the back of the tongue (posterior tongue tie), which is less visible but can cause problems. The doctor will look at all of these and make a decision.
What are the treatments for tongue-tie?
Okay, now let's see what this can do. The first thing to remember is that not all tongue ties require treatment .
Observation / "Wait and See"
Sometimes, especially if the tongue tie is very minor and there is no problem with the baby drinking milk or talking when they grow up, the doctor may say, "Let's wait a little longer." Because sometimes, as the baby grows up, this membrane under the tongue can stretch a little on its own, and the tongue movement can improve.
Frenotomy (cutting the membrane under the tongue)
This is the simplest treatment that is often performed. `Frenotomy` or `Frenulotomy` is the process of releasing the tight, shortened membrane under the tongue by making a small incision with small scissors or using a laser.
- This is a very quick and simple procedure. For newborns, it can be done in the doctor's office in a few minutes, without anesthesia (`anesthesia`), or with local anesthesia (`local anesthesia`).
- The baby doesn't feel much pain. He may cry a little, but that will go away soon.
- Bleeding is also very minimal. Only one or two drops of blood usually pass.
- It heals quickly. In most cases, the baby can breastfeed immediately, and the mother will notice a clear difference in breastfeeding.
Think about it, it's as small as cutting a nail. But the benefits are huge! Some mothers say that after this small cut, their baby's breastfeeding changed 'like magic'.
Frenuloplasty
Sometimes, if the membrane under the tongue is a bit thick, or if there are still problems after the `(Frenotomy)`, a slightly further treatment called `Frenuloplasty` may be required.
- In this case, after cutting the membrane, several small stitches are placed to allow the wound to heal properly.
- This is usually done in an operating room on older children or adults, sometimes under general anesthesia.
Other supportive treatments
- Lactation Support: After a frenotomy, both mother and baby may need support to learn how to breastfeed properly. It may take a few days for the baby to get used to the new way of using the tongue.
- Speech Therapy: If you have difficulty speaking due to a tongue tie, you may still need the help of a speech therapist to practice speaking even after the tongue tie is released, especially if the condition is diagnosed and treated late.
- Tongue Exercises: Sometimes, after a frenotomy, your doctor may recommend some exercises to improve tongue movement and prevent the membrane from sticking back.
What should you do if you suspect your baby has this problem?
If you have such doubts, don't worry. That's the most important thing.
- First, see your pediatrician and talk about this.
- Otherwise, meet with a lactation consultant who specializes in breastfeeding .
- They will examine your baby and inform you exactly whether there is actually a tongue tie, whether it requires treatment, and what kind of treatment is appropriate.
- Don't immediately believe everything you find on the internet or what your friends say. Every baby is different. It's best to get proper medical advice.
Finally, remember these things!
- Tongue tie/ankyloglossia is a common condition seen in babies. So don't be unnecessarily alarmed.
- This can cause breastfeeding problems, possibly speech difficulties, and other oral health problems .
- It is very easy for a doctor to diagnose this.
- Most of the time, treatment is very simple, quick, and successful, especially with a small incision called a frenotomy.
- Not all tongue ties require surgery or treatment. Some get better on their own or don't cause any problems.
- If there is a problem, early detection and treatment can prevent many problems. It is especially important for both mother and baby to resolve problems that arise during breastfeeding.
- If you have any doubts, definitely seek medical advice. It's the best thing you can do for both you and your baby.
Remember, you are not alone. There are many parents who face similar problems. With the right knowledge and support, you can cope with this situation successfully! It is a good thing to take care of your baby's health.
Tongue Tie, Ankyloglossia, Tongue Tie, Ankyloglossia, Frenulum, Breastfeeding, Speech Difficulties, Frenotomy, Baby's Tongue
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