If your baby struggles to latch during feeding, or if your older child has difficulty with certain speech sounds, you may have heard the term tongue tie mentioned. Perhaps your dentist or doctor has suggested a frenectomy. Here is what that involves.

What Is a Frenulum?

A frenulum is a small band of tissue that connects your lip to your gum, or your tongue to the floor of your mouth. Everyone has them — they are normal. The issue arises when a frenulum is unusually tight or short, restricting movement.

When this tissue under the tongue is too tight, it is called ankyloglossia — commonly referred to as a tongue tie.

How Does a Tongue Tie Affect Feeding?

A tight frenulum can make it hard for a baby to attach properly to the breast or bottle. This can lead to poor latch, frequent feeding, and inadequate weight gain. It can also be painful for the feeding parent.

Some babies manage fine and the issue only becomes apparent when they start trying solid foods or when speech develops.

What About Speech?

A tongue tie can affect certain sounds — particularly t, d, z, s, th, and l — because these sounds require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth. However, many children with tongue ties compensate well and develop normal speech.

A speech therapist can assess whether the tie is genuinely affecting your child speech development.

What Is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a minor procedure to release the tight frenulum. In babies, this is often a simple procedure that can be done with local anaesthetic or even without it in very young infants.

The dentist or surgeon cuts the frenulum to free the tongue or lip. Stitches are usually not needed. The whole procedure takes just a few minutes.

What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery is usually quick, especially in babies. Your child may be unsettled for a day or two, but feeding often improves within hours or days after the procedure.

Older children and adults may need a little longer to adjust to the increased range of movement.

Should You Consider a Frenectomy?

If a tongue or lip tie is affecting feeding, speech, or even dental hygiene, it may be worth discussing with your dentist or a specialist. They will assess whether the procedure is likely to help.

Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com Meads Village Dental Practice