Tongue Ties
in conjunction with
The North Carolina Tongue Tie Center
Oxford Pediatric Dentistry is proud to enjoy a preferred partnership with the NC Tongue Tie Center (NC-TTC) of Cary, a well established private practice specializing in lip and tongue tie revisions in infants, babies, and children.
NC-TTC is well known for conservative treatment, and an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of lip/tongue ties and their effects on breastfeeding, eating, speech and sleep. The information contained is credited to the NC Tongue Tie Center - please read on!
A tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is a condition that affects between 4-10% of infants. Anklyoglossia is a condition that affects the movement of the tongue. It occurs when the thin piece of tissue (frenulum) that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is too short. This restriction can cause a variety of issues, including difficulty breastfeeding, poor latch, and nipple pain for the mother, as well as difficulties with speech and eating for the baby.
For infants, a tongue-tie revision can help to ensure that they are able to feed properly, which is crucial for their growth and development. A baby with a tongue-tie may have difficulty latching onto the breast or bottle, which can result in poor milk intake and slow weight gain.
A tongue-tie revision involves cutting the frenulum to release the tongue and improve its mobility. The procedure is usually performed by a pediatrician or a dentist and can be done in a clinic or hospital setting. In some cases, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, but the procedure is usually quick and painless. Early treatment can help to prevent these problems and promote healthy growth and development. Additionally, a tongue-tie revision in an infant can also help to avoid potential speech difficulties later on. The tongue plays an important role in speech, and a restricted tongue can impact the development of proper speech patterns. By correcting the tongue-tie, the baby's tongue can move freely and develop properly, reducing the risk of speech difficulties. However, not all infants with a tongue-tie will have symptoms that warrant a revision. During infancy, a tongue-tie can be diagnosed by either a pediatrician that sees the baby on a regular basis, or by a lactation consultant who works with the mother-baby dyad to aid in both breast and bottle-feeding and overcome any problems that may arise during the breastfeeding process.
Overall, the goal of a tongue-tie revision in an infant is to improve their ability to breastfeed, eat, and communicate, promoting their healthy development and quality of life.