Treatment for Posterior Tongue Tie
The treatment your healthcare professional will recommend depends on the severity of your child's condition. It's possible for some cases of posterior tongue-tie to eventually loosen up and relax on their own. According to John Hopkin's Medicine, if breastfeeding is the only concern, your doctor may recommend the aid of a lactation consultant or infant feeding expert to see if the situation can be resolved without your child needing surgery.
But some doctors prefer to prevent any possible eating or speech issues that may develop in the future by performing surgery right away. The two most common procedures for tongue-ties are:
- Frenotomy
Sterile scissors are used to make a small cut in the frenulum allowing your child's tongue to move more freely.
- Frenuloplasty
This more extensive procedure may be recommended if your child's frenulum is too thick for a frenotomy. During this procedure, your child would undergo general anesthesia while the surgeon uses surgical tools to release the frenulum. They then use sutures to repair the incision. Speech therapy and tongue exercises may be part of the recovery process.
These are relatively simple procedures, and, in general, they're safe, too. But like any surgery, there are potential risks that are important lookout for, like:
- Severe bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the salivary ducts
- Or trouble breathing
If you notice any symptoms or side effects that concern you after your child's procedure, contact your healthcare professional right away.
It can be scary to hear that your newborn has a condition that can affect their ability to feed, speak, and breathe properly. The good news about tongue-tie is that it's common, and in most cases, it's treatable. And now that you know more about this condition, you'll be better able to have an informed discussion with your pediatrician to ensure your little one grows up happy, healthy, and with a tongue that moves freely.