A tongue-tie release is a quick, minimally-invasive procedure that helps alleviate some of the discomfort associated with breastfeeding. If you or your child undergoes this treatment, here are some things to know to help you prepare and recover.
Tongue-tie is a condition that affects many infants and babies. This condition occurs when a baby’s frenulum (which is located under the tongue) is too tight. This can make it difficult for a baby to feed effectively, which can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. A tongue-tie can also interfere with speech development, so it is important to get this condition treated as soon as possible.
If you think your child has a tongue-tie, talk to Dentist Hamilton Mountain, healthcare provider or lactation consultant for more information and nonsurgical treatment recommendations. In some cases, a tongue-tie can resolve naturally as your child grows older.
However, in some situations, surgery is needed to treat the condition. There are several different surgical procedures that can be performed for tongue tie, and a healthcare provider or lactation consultant will be able to recommend the best option for your child’s situation.
Depending on the type of surgery you or your child is undergoing, you or your child will be taken into a pre-operative/holding area to be assessed. If you or your child is receiving a procedure under general anesthesia, you will need medical clearance, which can usually be done through a regular checkup with your healthcare provider or pediatrician.
If your child is having a procedure performed under local anesthesia, the doctor will make a small cut or snip in the lingual frenulum using a scalpel or laser. This will help to lengthen the frenulum, which will improve the flexibility of the tongue. This procedure is called a frenulotomy or frenulectomy and it can be performed in your healthcare provider’s office or a same-day surgical facility.
For a more extensive procedure, a frenuloplasty may be recommended. This is similar to a frenulotomy, but the physician will use a smaller blade and may need to snip more of the lingual frenulum. The wound will bleed and may look discolored for a few weeks. This is normal and will resolve.
After the procedure, your child may experience some discomfort during feedings. It is important to try to breastfeed as often as possible so that your child’s skin to skin contact acts as a natural form of pain relief. You can also give your child over-the-counter infant pain medication such as acetaminophen to manage discomfort.
After a frenuloplasty, you may notice that your child’s wound looks a little strange, as it will have a diamond-shaped appearance with a whitish yellow or neon yellowish color. This is normal and will heal in a few weeks. Some infants will have a more dramatic improvement in comfort during feeding after this treatment, while others will take a bit of time to adjust. If you are unsure about your infant’s comfort level during feedings after treatment, do not hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or feeding specialist for more guidance.
Hamilton Mountain Dental Group
79 Rymal Rd W, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B5
Telephone: 905-388-1977
hamiltonmountaindental.ca
Email: info@hamiltonmountaindental.ca