Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, a condition where the tongue is tied up to the roof of the mouth by an invisible band (the lingual frenulum) over the teeth. While up to ten percent of children may experience some level of tongue tie at any given age, not all children who have tongue tie need medical intervention.
Most cases of ankyloglossia are mild and do not require medical attention. This does not mean that no treatment is necessary or that it is not important. Tongue tie can cause serious medical problems and if left untreated can lead to severe dental problems in both adults and children.
The first thing doctors look for is if there is excessive pressure on the roof of the mouth, which is caused by poor muscle tension between the upper jaw bones and the upper lip. Other common causes of ankyloglossia are over chewing, improper dental hygiene, excessive snacking, and excessive sucking.
Simple procedures such as the application of cold compresses or the use of over the counter anti-snoring devices can be helpful. However, if these solutions fail to solve the problem, doctors may recommend surgery.
Before undergoing a surgical procedure, it is important for parents to discuss the treatment options with their child, as well as discuss the possible risks and benefits of this type of treatment with their child. An experienced physician will make sure the surgery is performed in a way that will help the child to avoid future problems with his tongue.
Surgical procedures to remove tongue ties can range from simple procedures that involve only the removal of excess skin to more complicated procedures that involve the removal of excess tissue or even entire sections of the tongue. The surgeon will first assess the patient's condition and decide if the surgery is needed. The surgery may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia depending on the level of discomfort experienced by the patient.
The surgical procedure to remove the frenum of the tongue is usually done under general anesthesia
This is due to the fact that during the surgery, the patient is injected with a sedative. After surgery is complete, your doctor will place a splint on your tongue to hold it in place, while a splint is placed around the top of your mouth to keep the area away from your mouth. This temporary immobilization helps prevent further damage to the tongue or underlying muscles.
After the operation is completed, the child will need to stay in the hospital for several days to weeks to recover. It is best to allow the wound to heal naturally, but medications can be treated to help prevent further damage. If the wound heals correctly, the child will be able to eat without restrictions for about a month.
The dental surgeon will then suggest that the child begin a program of regular brushing of the tongue or dental floss to prevent further damage. In some cases, your child may need a tongue scraper to remove plaque from the mouth.
The dental surgeon will also recommend several follow-up dental checkups to make sure the problem has been resolved. If the dentist detects a recurrence of the problem, additional surgery may be recommended.
The oral surgeon will not perform surgery on children younger than three years old, unless it is absolutely necessary. The doctor will discuss the options with the child's dentist and the child's doctor to determine which type of surgery is the best option.
If the surgeon removes the tongue tie, then the child may lose his or her ability to taste or move their tongues. However, there are some oral surgeons that believe this is a temporary issue and the tongue will return to normal function as the child gets older.