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The Trouble With Newborn Tongue Tie

Writer's picture: smithsteave529smithsteave529

Updated: Nov 26, 2022



Introduction:


Babies are always the cutest things in the world. Their eyes are wide open and filled with wonder, their noses are wrinkled up in curiosity, and their tongues are lolling out of their mouths like flabby little tongues of life.


And then, sometime within the first few days or weeks of life, something goes wrong. Some sort of traumatic event causes a baby’s tongue to become twisted and stuck to the roof of his mouth.

This is known as a newborn tongue tie,and it can cause all sorts of health problems down the road. In this blog post, we will explore the trouble with newborn tongue ties and what you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place.


What is a Newborn Tongue Tie?


The newborn tongue tie is a common issue that can cause difficulty with breastfeeding and eating. The tie can make it difficult for the baby to open his mouth wide enough to get food and milk in, which can lead to feeding problems and weight issues. Treatment usually involves surgery, but there are other options available if you're willing to take them.


The Types of Tongue Ties:


The two terms are similar like lip and tongue tie. Newborn tongue ties (NTT) are a common problem and require immediate treatment. They can cause feeding problems, breathing difficulties, and Early Childhood Health Initiative (ECHI) issues such as speech delays and disabilities. The different types of newborn tongue ties require different treatments and may need to be corrected with surgery or other methods.


There are three main types of newborn tongue ties: apical, midline, and retrognathic. Apical ties are the most common type and occur at the tip of the tongue where it meets the floor of the mouth. Midline ties occur in the middle of the tongue near its base.


Retrognathic ties occur when the lower part of the tongue is pulled too far back into the mouth. All three types can cause feeding problems, breathing difficulties, and ECHI issues such as speech delays and disabilities.


Apical tongues should be treated with an injection or suction device to loosen up tight tissues around the tip of the tongue. Midline tongues should be stretched using a special device called a Palmer clamp which pushes on either side of the midline tie until it releases.


Retrognathic ties should be fixed using a surgical procedure calledリテルスガンポール。 This involves cutting through tight tissues below the tongue to fix it in its natural position.



Causes of Tongue Tie:


There are many possible causes of newborn tongue tie. Some babies may have a mild form of the condition, while others may have a more severe case that requires surgery to correct. Here are some of the most common causes:


1. Genetics:

Tongue tie is often inherited from parents or other relatives.


2. Birth Injury:

If you give birth prematurely, your baby’s mouth may not have enough time to develop properly and he or she can develop a tongue tie.


3. Parenting Style:

If one parent consistently pulls the baby’s tongue down during breastfeeding or pees on the baby’s tongue, it can cause a tongue tie.


4. Poor Prenatal Care:

If you didn’t get adequate prenatal care, your baby’s mouth may not be healthy and he or she may develop a tongue tie.


5. Medications:

Certain medications (such as ibuprofen) can cause a baby to develop a tongue tie.


How to Untie a Tongue Tie?


There’s a new name for the newborn tongue tie: neonatal occlusion of the lingual frenulum. It’s a condition that can cause difficulties with breastfeeding, eating and swallowing, and usually requires surgery to correct. Untying a tongue tie is one of the most common first steps in resolving these issues.


Here’s How to do it:

  1. Clean the area around the tie with soap and water. Dry it off thoroughly.

  2. Apply pressure to the tie with your fingertips, holding it tight for 30 seconds. Don’t use any tools or force; just apply enough pressure to make the knot loosen up slightly. If you can’t loosen it at all, try using a crochet hook or fishing line instead of your fingers (see Resources).

  3. Once the knot has loosened up slightly, use your fingers to gently work it loose from the surrounding skin. Don’t pull too hard; you don’t want to damage the tissue or underlying teeth. You may need to work on this for a few minutes before it comes free completely.

  4. If necessary, trim away any excess hair around the tie with scissors or a hairdryer. Make sure there are no stray teeth left behind; if so, remove them using dental floss or tweezers (see Resources).

After Untying the Tongue Tie:


There are a few potential problems with newborn tongue ties. The first is that they may not be able to properly suck and chew on their hands, which can lead to developmental delays. In addition, if the tie is extremely tight, it may cause breathing difficulties and even choking. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, it's important to consult a doctor as soon as possible.


Prevention Tips for Newborns with Tongue Ties:

  1. Newborn tongue ties are a common problem that can cause problems with breastfeeding and chewing. Here are some tips to prevent newborn tongue ties:

  2. Avoid tight clothing or wraps around the baby's neck. These can create tension in the neck and may lead to a tongue tie.

  3. Make sure the baby is well-fed and hydrated during the early weeks of life. The good nutrition will help to maintain tissue elasticity and keep the mouth open wide.

  4. Dry the mouth out after breastfeeding or giving formula by sucking on a hard object, like a piece of toast, for a few minutes. This will help reduce saliva production and encourage better oral hygiene habits in the baby later on.

  5. If your baby has a tongue tie, seek professional medical attention as soon as possible so that it can be treated properly before it becomes too difficult to correct.

Conclusion:


There is no single answer to the question of why newborns may have a tongue tie, but several factors can contribute. One possibility is that the baby's tongue was too tightly bound during birth. This can make it difficult for the baby to eat and drink properly, and can lead to other problems down the line, such as speech delays or even a speech impairment.


If you're concerned that your newborn may have a tongue tie, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician and get our these services from dentist london ontario. In most cases, a simple procedure known as laceration release can loosen the tie and help your child get the best start in life.


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