At What Age Should a Tongue-Tie be Cut?

As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their health. One condition that may affect your child's oral health is tongue-tie. The medical term for tongue-tie is ankyloglossia, and it occurs when the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight. This condition can interfere with your child's ability to eat, speak, and even sleep properly. But at what age should a tongue-tie be cut? Let's delve into this topic.

Understanding Tongue-tie

Tongue-tie can be present at birth and can affect anyone, although it's more common in boys than girls. The severity of tongue-tie can vary. In some cases, the tongue is not free enough to move to the roof of the mouth, which can cause problems with feeding and speech. 

• Feeding issues: Infants with tongue-tie may have difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. They may not be able to latch on properly, leading to inadequate nutrition and poor weight gain.
• Speech difficulties: As your child grows older, tongue-tie may affect their ability to pronounce certain sounds and words, which can lead to speech and language difficulties.

When to Consider Tongue-tie Treatment

The timing of tongue-tie treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the problems it's causing. If your child is feeding well and not having any issues, treatment may not be necessary. However, if your child is experiencing difficulties with feeding, speech, or other functions, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider.

• Infancy: For infants who are having trouble breastfeeding, treatment can be considered as early as a few days or weeks after birth.
• Childhood: For older children experiencing speech difficulties or other issues, treatment can be done at any age.

The Procedure: Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a quick and straightforward procedure used to treat tongue-tie or lip-tie. This minimally invasive surgery involves releasing the tight band of tissue (frenum) that restricts movement of the tongue or lip. During a frenectomy, the dentist or oral surgeon uses either sterile scissors or a laser to carefully cut the frenum. The procedure is typically performed in the dentist's office and often doesn't require general anesthesia, especially for older children or adults. For infants or young children, a topical anesthetic may be applied to ensure comfort. The entire process usually takes only a few minutes to complete. After the frenectomy, patients often experience immediate improvement in tongue or lip mobility. Recovery is generally quick, with most individuals able to return to normal activities within a day or two, although complete healing may take a couple of weeks.

Aftercare and Speech Therapy

After the procedure, some children may benefit from speech therapy to help improve their speech and language skills. It's also important to follow any aftercare instructions provided by your healthcare provider to ensure proper healing.

• Aftercare: This may include exercises to help your child move their tongue more freely and prevent the frenulum from reattaching.
• Speech therapy: If your child was having speech difficulties before the procedure, they may benefit from speech therapy afterwards.

Tongue-Tie Treatment in Truckee, CA

At Truckee Pediatric Dentistry, we understand the challenges that tongue-tie can present for your child. Dr. Matthew Gustafsson is experienced in diagnosing and treating tongue-tie, and he can provide guidance on the best course of action for your child. If your child is showing signs of tongue-tie, don't hesitate to reach out to us at (530) 550-9311 to request an appointment. Let us help your child achieve optimal oral health.