Having a healthy child is what every parent wants. However, there will be some birth defects that are likely to occur, and are detected after the baby is born. In particular, tongue tie is a slight malformation but has a significant effect on the baby. So if unfortunately the baby has this situation, what should be done?
How to understand malformations tongue tie??
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the lingual frenulum (thin layer of mucosa membrane under the tongue) is short, which limits the normal movement of the tongue.
According to statistics about 4% -5% in infants with this malformation (Children’s Hospital 1)
The disease is detected in the first month after birth, or a few months later when the baby appears difficult to breastfeed, suck milk for a long time, gain weight slowly. And this is also the cause of difficulties in the pronunciation and eating of children.
Tongue tie has many levels, including fully or partially.
Manifestations of tongue tie like?
Depending on the age and level more or less, there are some typical symptoms of tongue tie:
- It is difficult for the baby to move his tongue. The tip of the tongue cannot stick out of the lips. And they can’t touch the roof of the throat.
- When tongue sticking out, the tip of tongue has a square shape. When crying, the child’s tongue is curved with the shape of a swallow flying.
- The lower incisors often tend to detach or tilt.
- At the same time, babies suckle milk for a long time due to difficulty in feeding, and often hurt their mother’s nipples.
- When growing up, the tongue tie makes it difficult to pronounce.
So should cutting lingual frenulum when the baby is in a state of tongue tie or not?
Treatment of tongue tie malformation will depend on the situation that the doctor has different directions to handle.
Usually, right after birth, the doctor will give the baby a general checkup. If an abnormality is found, or suspected to be abnormal, it will be referred to a specialist.
- With the membrane tongue tie, the dentist will perform a rapid cut. At this time, the blood vessels have not come to nourish much, so most babies do not feel pain, breastfeed normally after 10-15 minutes.
- But if the baby has a full tongue-tie, they need shape surgery after they are older than 2 years.
Important notes when treating this malformation
@Do not cut the lingual frenulum in the following cases:
Surgical treatment by cutting the lingual frenulum or shaping. It is necessary to monitor and evaluate the urgency when the child has a medical condition such as haemophilia, or thrombocytopenia, diabetes…
@ Does surgical treatment of tongue tie malformation cause complications?
It should be determined that this is a simple treatment, quick procedure, does not take much time, does not cause danger.
For severe cases of tongue tie, surgery in children requires anesthesia. And all medicines used are safe for children. After treatment, your baby can have normal activities.
However, also note to you that the case of children have tongue tie area is too thick or too short. Or the age of carrying out treatment too late will cause more bleeding. Because the baby grows, the area will be nourished more blood.
@ Normal expression after tongue-tie surgery which the parents should pay attention:
- During the first 1 or 2 days after surgery, the baby often feels pain (in case of late surgery). Making eating difficult.
- At the cutting site of lingual frenulum (with an electric knife or laser) there are often white streaks. This is soft tissue treated to stop bleeding.
- Babies may have a mild fever in the first few days because the body is responding to the new activity.
- Wounds in anesthetic surgery cases usually heal within 5-7 days after the procedure. Prescription medication is needed to make everyday life more comfortable.
How to take care of your baby after the surgery tongue tie?
- Observe the child daily, and do not allow the child to touch the surgical area.
- Children should drink milk, or eat liquid food in the first days. Remember to cool the food.
- Train your child to move his tongue (in some cases with soft tissue surgery) as directed by your doctor.
- Take the medicine right and get enough prescription medication.
If there is anything other than the points mentioned above, you need to bring your baby back to the clinic to check immediately.
If you need further assistance, you can contact:
QUOC BINH DENTAL CLINIC IN VUNG TAU
19 Pham Hong Thai Str., Ward 7, Vung Tau City.
28 Le Loi Str., Ward 4, Vung Tau City.
Hotline: 0914 83 99 66
Online information page: https://www.facebook.com/nhakhoaquocbinh/
