Is Your Baby Tongue-Tied?

Is Your Child Tongue-Tied?

·        Does your child have trouble sticking their tongue out past their lips?   

·        Does your child’s tongue look like a heart, or turn downward when sticking out their tongue?

·        Is breastfeeding or nursing your baby painful? 

·        Does your baby have trouble staying on the breast?

·        Do you hear a clicking sound when nursing?

·        Do you have a family member who is tongue-tied?

Short Frenulum, or Tongue-Tied infant

If you have said yes to any of these questions you may have a condition that is called "tongue tied" in layman language.  There is a genetic component and often parents are aware of other family members with the same condition.  The frenulum is a string-like membrane that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth.  If the frenulum is long enough the tongue will have full range of motion.  If the frenulum is too short the movement of the tongue will be limited, and in some cases the individual with this condition will be unable to extend his/her tongue past their lips.

 The above can be a harmless inconvenience.  However, in some cases a short frenulum can cause problems with nursing and speech .  Sometimes the frenulum can stretch with time and exercises, but other times there may be a need for a frenotomy.  The frenotomy is a simple procedure that requires no anesthetic or stitches in a young infant.  The procedure is typically done by a trained dentist. Dr. Bednarski regularly performs the frenotomy with her laser.  The use of lasers makes the frenotomy quick and virtually bloodless.  If you have any further questions or comments please feel free to leave them here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.