Breastfeeding is a seemingly simple and natural task, but it doesn’t always come that easy. One of the reasons that babies have challenges regarding breastfeeding is because of an extra piece of tissue underneath their tongues. This condition is known as a tongue-tie and can make breastfeeding extra challenging for both mother and baby.
If this is the case, your baby may require a tongue-tie procedure in Tampa, which helps remedy this condition and make breastfeeding easier. Here are some things you should know about the procedure.
What is a Tongue-Tie?
Everyone has a flap of tissue that connects their tongue to the floor of their mouth, known as the lingual frenulum. In most cases, this membrane mostly goes away before the baby is born. In the cases where this membrane is still here, the baby has a condition known as tongue-tie, which stops their tongue from moving how it should.
Some signs of tongue-tie include:
• Shorter looking tongue
• Tongue can’t reach the roof of the mouth
• Heart-shaped tongue when moved forward
You may also be able to see the flap of tissue attaching your baby’s tongue to the floor of their mouth.
What Are the Kinds of Tongue-Tie Surgery?
There are a few different options for tongue-tie procedures near you, including:
Frenotomy: This procedure involves a professional from our tongue-tie center in Tampa snipping the frenulum using a small scalpel. Most babies react well to this method and can feed immediately after surgery.
Tongue-Tie Laser Surgery: This is a similar method to a frenotomy, except that the doctor will use a laser rather than a scalpel to separate the tongue from the floor of the mouth.
Tongue-Tie Electrocautery: This uses heat and electricity to cut instead of a scalpel or laser. This method is thought to reduce bleeding and speed up healing time.
Possible Complications of Tongue-Tie Surgery
While tongue-tie procedures are generally considered to be minimally invasive and safe, your baby can have some complications such as:
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Damaged tongue muscles
• Breathing problems
• Inability to breastfeed
Recovery After Tongue-Tie Surgery
The time for healing and recovery after your baby gets tongue-tie surgery at our tongue-tie center near you depends on the type of procedure they underwent. Some procedures require a longer healing time than others, and in some cases, your baby may be able to feed right away.
Typically, you will need to do some oral exercises with your baby every day for several weeks to help them heal properly. Your doctor will work with you and your baby to ensure that you know what exercises to do and how to help your baby do them. These exercises are vital to the success of the procedure.
Contact Tampa Tongue Tie Center
While it may seem daunting, tongue-tie is a minor condition that some newborns have to face. Sometimes, this condition does not cause any problems at all, and sometimes tongue-tie surgery is required.
If you are concerned about tongue-tie and would like to learn more about what it means and the best course of action, contact Tampa Tongue Tie Center. Our team of trained medical professionals is happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have and provide you with further information so that you can make an educated decision about your baby’s needs.
Our healthcare provider is happy to provide you with advice on the best treatment for your child and all the options for surgery if necessary. Please contact us today!