When Is Tongue Tie Surgery Necessary for Kids?

Tongue tie is a condition that occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or thick, thereby restricting the tongue’s movements. It is a fairly common birth deformity that afflicts countless children every year. Fortunately, it is easily correctable via a minimally invasive surgery known as a frenectomy. Still, you might hesitate to consent to any type of surgery for your precious little one. You may rightly want to know if the procedure is truly necessary! This blog post explains how you can determine whether or not your child needs tongue tie surgery.

Is Tongue Tie Surgery Always Necessary?

Some cases of tongue tie do not need to be surgically corrected. If your child is not experiencing any obvious problems related to their tongue tie, there may not be any reason for them to undergo a frenectomy. In fact, it would be better for them not to get the procedure because, even though it carries very few risks, there is still a minor chance of complications.

If you are unsure of whether a tongue tie is adversely affecting your baby, you are free to seek opinions from multiple medical professionals, such as your child’s pediatrician and their dentist.

What If Your Child Does Not Receive Necessary Treatment?

Without treatment, tongue tie can cause some significant problems, including:

• Difficulty breastfeeding.
• Slow weight gain.
• Colic.
• Speech difficulties and food aversions.
• A higher risk of dental problems, including cavities and gum disease.
• Disordered breathing during sleep.

As a child grows until adulthood, the problems caused by an untreated tongue tie are unlikely to go away. It is often best for kids to receive treatment as early as possible.

What to Expect with Tongue Tie Surgery

If it turns out that tongue tie surgery is necessary for your child, there is no reason to be nervous about it. It usually takes just a few minutes, and if the doctor uses a laser, there should be very little bleeding and discomfort. In the weeks following the surgery, you may need to do some exercises with your little one to maintain the results of their procedure.

Tongue tie surgery is not always necessary, but it can be vital for some children! Talk to a tongue tie expert to learn whether your baby could benefit from this procedure.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Bindi Vibhakar and Justin Welke are the lip and tongue tie specialists at the Chicago Tongue Tie Center. They use a soft tissue laser to perform frenectomies, so the surgery is as safe and comfortable as possible. If you would like them to evaluate your child and make an honest recommendation on whether tongue tie surgery is necessary, contact our office at 312-248-2455.