ENT,  MOUTH

tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) 

  • lingual frenulum restricting the movement and function of the tongue
  • Normal speech and feeding is able to be established despite the presence of a tongue tie
  • It’s important to remember that many babies that appear to have a tongue-tie can still breastfeed well. 
  • Most breastfeeding problems are not caused by a tongue-tie.
  • There is insufficient evidence to support a link between tongue tie and speech impairment or feeding difficulty
  • Children are able to develop normal feeding, speech and language despite the presence of a tongue tie
  • Symptoms
    • prolonged feeding, difficulty latching, and irritability while feeding
    • poor weight gain
    • nipple pain
  • Possible signs of tongue-tie
    • They are not able to lift their tongue up past the middle of their mouth.
    • A ‘V shape’ or ‘heart shape’ tongue tip
  • Treatment
    • observation is the best treatment option.
    • If other causes of difficulty feeding have been ruled out, then a frenotomy can be offered as a treatment option

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