Up to 10% of the population has some form of tongue-tie (ankyloglossia, tight frenulum). In this video, Anna K. Meyer, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the University of California in San Francisco, explains why it is important to talk with your doctor if your child’s feeding, speech development, or oral health are compromised due to tongue-tie. Your doctor may refer you to a pediatric dentist, pediatric otolaryngologist, or pediatric plastic surgeon for further evaluation.
Surgery (frenotomy or frenuloplasty) should be considered if the tongue-tie appears to restrict tongue movement, such as inability to latch on with breastfeeding. It is a is a simple, safe, and effective procedure—general anesthesia is not required.
Additional Information:
- Ensuring Proper Latch On
- Tracking Your Baby’s Weight and Measurements
- Language Delays in Toddlers: Information for Parents
- How to Raise Concerns about a Child’s Speech and Language Development
- Maintaining and Improving the Oral Health of Young Children (AAP Policy Statement)
- Last Updated
- 2/7/2017
- Source
- Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology