A tongue-tie is a common condition that many babies are born with. When the band of tissue that extends from the underside tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth appears restricted, your baby will likely experience much difficulty eating and gaining weight. But is this a new, recent development or have infants experienced this problem for many years now? In this article, we’ll discuss the rise and fall of tongue-tie treatment as well as what you should look for if you think your infant may be exhibiting problems.
Tongue-Ties Through the Years
Because more dentists are now talking about tongue-ties, you might think this is a recent development that is just now appearing in more and more babies. That’s not the case, however. If you look back through history, you’ll find that even during the 1600s, physicians were using specialized instruments to lacerate a child’s tongue-tie to improve oral functioning.
Thankfully, the methods used are vastly different today, but the same result is achieved – a tongue that gains a wide range of motion.
However, things changed once doctors began to recommend formula as opposed to breastfeeding. Since they thought it was a better option as opposed to the natural way, many babies did not struggle as much to feed. This led to a decrease in treatment, that is until the tide turned once more back in favor of breastfeeding.
With more women opting to provide their babies with natural milk as opposed to formula, dentists began (and still do) to see problems of tongue-tie occurring, resulting in the need for early treatment.
Signs Your Baby Needs a Frenectomy
If you are a new mother, you may not recognize the signs that commonly point to your child needing a frenectomy. First, it’s important to remember that most children are treated as infants if they have a tongue-tie; however, they may not develop issues until later in life. If this should happen, you may find that your child has difficulty speaking, eating, or breathing while sleeping.
But if you are attempting to feed your baby and notice any of the following symptoms, a frenectomy may be necessary:
- Poor weight gain
- Acid reflux or colic
- Fussiness
- Inability to latch effectively
- Prolonged feedings
- Inability to stick out the tongue
- Clicking or smacking noises when attempting to nurse
Mothers can also experience cracked and sore nipples, depression, blocked ducts (mastitis), and be recommended to wear a nipple shield to create a more effective nursing experience.
If your child’s pediatric dentist notices any of these issues, a frenectomy may be suggested. Using a soft tissue laser, the restricted band of tissue is released with virtually no bleeding, swelling, or potential for infection.
If you’re concerned about your child’s inability to move their tongue properly, don’t wait to seek treatment. Talk to their pediatric dentist to find out if a frenectomy will help.
About the Practice
At Hamilton Pediatric Dental Care, patients can expect nothing but the very best. Complete with three highly skilled and trained pediatric dentists who enjoy and remain passionate about treatment young smiles, they offer a fun and welcoming environment. Also, if little ones exhibit potential tongue-tie problems, they can use their soft tissue laser to gently detach the banded tissue and improve oral function. Contact us via the website or (905) 525-8272 to learn more.