If you suspect that your baby is tongue-tied, there are a few signs that you can look out for. A tongue-tie is when the piece of skin under the baby’s tongue (called the frenulum) is tight or shorter than normal. While some babies who have tongue-tie do not seem to be bothered by it, in others, it can restrict the tongue’s movement, making it more difficult to breastfeed.
Tongue-tie is usually diagnosed when newborns have their first physical examination, however it’s not always easy to identify. Sometimes, it may not become obvious until your baby has problems feeding.
In this article, we will go through some of the most common signs and symptoms of a tongue-tie.
Symptoms of Tongue-tie in Babies
During feeding, particularly breastfeeding, a baby needs to latch onto the breast tissue and nipple. Their tongue needs to cover the lower gum so the nipple is protected from damage. However, in the case of tongue-tie, babies are sometimes not able to open their mouths wide enough to latch onto the breast properly.
If you are currently breastfeeding your baby and suspect they have tongue-tie, you should look out for:
- The baby has difficulty attaching to the breast or staying attached for a full feed.
- The baby is unsettled and seems to be hungry all the time.
- They are not gaining weight as quickly as they should.
- They make a ‘clicking’ sound when feeding.
Other common signs of tongue-tie include:
- Difficulty moving the tongue up or side to side.
- Difficulty sticking their tongue out.
- Their tongue looks heart-shaped when they stick it out.
If your baby is experiencing these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your pediatrician to get them diagnosed. After diagnosis, you can then work with your pediatrician and dentist to care for your child with a procedure called a TOT frenectomy.
At Wright Parkway Dental, we work closely with pediatricians to care for your child with compassion during the frenectomy process. This is a simple, minimally invasive procedure that uses state-of-the-art CO2 laser technology. Using this laser, we release the tethered tissue to increase the range of movement for the tongue. This helps to reduce long-term complications that TOTs can cause.
This procedure is done right from the comfort of our office, all while providing a caring and kind environment for you and your child. We work with you to ensure that your little ones have the best experience and a future free of TOT complications.
Call us to schedule your child’s consultation or TOT frenectomy today at (850) 243-1534.
