What does it mean when a baby gets their tongue clipped?

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. If necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum (frenotomy).

What does it look like when a baby is tongue tied?

“TT”: Tongue Tie that is usually easy visible and goes to the tip of tongue (also called an “anterior tongue tie”). The tongue may appear heart shaped or the tip of the tongue is indented. The tongue may not lift well, and may or may not extend past lower gum line.

Does tongue-tie need to be corrected?

Tongue-tie can resolve in early childhood if the frenum ‘loosens’ by itself, allowing the tongue to move freely for eating and speech. However, in some cases, the child may need to have a surgical procedure known as a frenectomy to release the tongue.

How do you fix a baby tongue-tie?

The procedure, called a frenotomy, frenulotomy, or tongue-tie revision, is a relatively straightforward one. A doctor or dentist holds the baby’s tongue taut toward the roof of his mouth and cuts the lingual frenulum to “release” it, usually with a laser or sterile scissors.

Should I clip my baby’s tongue-tie?

Medical experts don’t routinely ‘snip’ a tongue-tie, but the procedure is often recommended to improve breastfeeding. Nardone takes out surgical scissors. She isolated the frenulum, cut the cord, and then dabbed a bit of blood away with a gauze.

What problems can a tongue-tie cause?

A tongue-tie can diminish a person’s ability to brush food debris off their teeth, and to swallow completely. An inability to keep the mouth clean can result in tooth decay, gum inflammation (gingivitis), and other oral problems.

Does clipping a baby’s tongue hurt?

Tongue-tie division is done by doctors, nurses or midwives. In very young babies (those who are only a few months old), it is usually done without anaesthetic (painkilling medicine), or with a local anaesthetic that numbs the tongue. The procedure does not seem to hurt babies.