Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue tie, is a condition present at birth that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. It is caused by a short, thick or tight band of tissue that attaches the baby’s tongue to the floor of their mouth.
Lip tie is a condition that restricts upper lip movement. It is caused by a short, thick or tight band of tissue that connects the baby’s upper lip to the gum. These conditions can sometimes impair the baby’s ability to breastfeed and/or cause painful breastfeeding for mom.
While the cause is unknown, it is believed to be associated with certain genetic factors. Management and treatment of these conditions is very individualized. Some doctors and moms prefer to take a wait-and-see approach, as the band of tissue may loosen over time. Others decided to pursue surgical correction.
Treatment
Surgical correction of tongue tie is a simple procedure that involves cutting the band of tissue between the tongue and floor of mouth. The procedure for lip tie involves cutting the band of tissue between the upper lip and gum. These procedures release the restriction and provide improved tongue and/or lip mobility. Depending on the baby’s age, this usually can be done in the office without any anesthesia.
Call San Diego ENT at (858) 926-7010 for more information or to schedule an appointment.