Myths and Facts About Tongue-Tie

There are many myths and misunderstandings about tongue-tie, many of which have to do with infants and their ability to properly breastfeed. Tongue-tie can impact breastfeeding and addressing the condition can improve the baby’s ability to latch on and suck. Understanding the facts and knowing the myths about the condition can help you make an informed decision about getting treatment, if you suspect your baby has tongue-tie.

Myth – Babies will eventually outgrow the tongue tie. It will either stretch or tear on its own.
Fact – The frenulum will most likely not stretch or tear. It is more likely to cause interference when the baby tries to latch onto the breast or nipple of the bottle.

Myth – If your baby is diagnosed with a lip-tie and/or tongue-tie, you should wait until he or she is at least one or two years of age before addressing the condition.
Fact – The earlier the diagnosis and treatment for tongue-tie and lip-tie, the better for the child. Waiting will most likely make feeding problematic, and it can also lead to other issues.

Myth – Correcting lip-ties and tongue-ties will need to be done in an operating room under general anesthesia.
Fact – Lip-ties and tongue-ties are easily corrected in a dental or medical office. The procedure only takes a few seconds.

Myth – Cutting the lingual frenulum is dangerous because nerves or glands could be cut, and the procedure will cause bleeding.
Fact – Releasing the lingual frenulum is a safe and simple procedure. When performed by a trained surgeon, the procedure can be completed quickly in an outpatient setting without cause for concern about damaging other oral structures or bleeding.

Fact – Tongue-tie is hereditary.

Fact – Tongue-tie is a congenital anomaly. The condition develops as the baby is being formed in the womb.

Fact – The impaired mobility of the tongue can affect a variety of things: breastfeeding, latching onto the nipple of a bottle, chewing, protecting the airway, cleaning the teeth and forming speech sounds.

Fact – About 5% of all people are born with tongue-tie and/or lip-tie.

Not everyone who has tongue-tie or lip-tie has the corrective surgery. Consequently, as the person grows older, certain problems develop such as speech impediments or issues with being able to properly keep teeth clean. When the condition is diagnosed, treatment should follow soon after to prevent other problems from developing.

The team at South Carolina Tongue Tie Center provides safe, fast and minimally invasive laser surgery to treat mouth restrictions. Contact us for diagnosis and treatment.