Why is tongue-tie so common?

Tongue ties are being blamed on social media for a slew of woes affecting infants—from nipple pain to poor napping to speech issues—but many experts agree that the rise in diagnosis and treatment is being led by consumer demand rather than by hard science.

How rare is being tongue tied?

While the exact prevalence of tongue-tie is unknown, current evidence suggests a 3 percent to 5 percent occurrence, with a range of 0.1 percent to 10 percent, depending on the criteria used to evaluate the frenulum. Some healthcare providers have given anecdotal estimates of up to 25 percent prevalence.

Why are so many babies getting their tongues clipped?

In recent years, surging numbers of infants have gotten minor surgeries for “tongue tie,” to help with breastfeeding or prevent potential health issues.

What percentage of babies are born tongue tied?

Tongue tie is common, affecting nearly 5 percent of all newborns. It is three times more common among boys than girls and frequently runs in families.

Why is tongue-tie a problem?

Untreated tongue-tie may not cause any problems as a child gets older, and any tightness may resolve naturally as the mouth develops. However, tongue-tie can sometimes cause problems such as speech difficulties and difficulty eating certain foods.

Tongue Tie Release Treatment

Are tongue-ties hereditary?

Anyone can develop tongue-tie. In some cases, tongue-tie is hereditary (runs in the family). The condition occurs up to 10 percent of children (depending on the study and definition of tongue-tie). Tongue-tie mostly affects infants and younger children, but older children and adults may also live with the condition.

Do babies outgrow tongue-tie?

If tongue-tie is left alone, babies can often grow out of it as their mouth develops. However, some cases of tongue-tie may require surgery for correction.

Why do so many babies have tongue-tie now?

Tongue ties are being blamed on social media for a slew of woes affecting infants—from nipple pain to poor napping to speech issues—but many experts agree that the rise in diagnosis and treatment is being led by consumer demand rather than by hard science.

What age is best for tongue-tie surgery?

This simple, quick procedure often is done without anesthesia in babies younger than 3 months old because the area has few nerve endings or blood vessels. It's safe to do this in an outpatient office setting.

Is everyone's tongue-tied?

Approximately 3.5 to 5 percent of all people are born with tongue-tie. Additionally, some doctors recommend parents hold off on tongue-tie surgery in infants, stating that the lingual frenulum tends to loosen over time.

What happens if you don't cut a tongue-tie?

Risks of Tongue Tie

Some of the problems that can occur when tongue tie is left untreated include the following: Oral health problems: These can occur in older children who still have tongue tie. This condition makes it harder to keep teeth clean, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.

Can you successfully breastfeed with a lip tie?

We recommend no intervention, as maxillary labial and buccal frena [“cheek ties”] are normal anatomic variants and do not 'tie down the upper lip' to impact on breastfeeding or feeding function.

Do doctors check for tongue-tie at birth?

Tongue-tie is typically diagnosed during a physical exam. For infants, the doctor might use a screening tool to score various aspects of the tongue's appearance and ability to move.

Should tongue-tie be corrected?

If your child is born with a tongue-tie, know that it's nobody's fault and there's nothing you could have done to prevent it. However, it is up to you to help your baby receive tongue-tie treatment as soon as possible to prevent issues down the road.

Do tongue-ties affect speech?

There is a misconception that a tongue-tie will cause problems with a child's speech intelligibility, or that a child may not be able to speak because of a restricted lingual frenulum. Despite this common belief, there is no evidence in the scientific literature that ankyloglossia typically causes speech impairments.

Will baby be in pain after tongue-tie cut?

Some pain is normal after the procedure so if your baby is crying more than usual in the first 24 hours don't worry. Feed them regularly and give them lots of cuddles and skin to skin contact. There are pain relief options as well.

Should I get my babies tongue-tie snipped?

Medical experts don't routinely 'snip' a tongue-tie, but the procedure is often recommended to improve breastfeeding. Nardone takes out surgical scissors. She isolated the frenulum, cut the cord, and then dabbed a bit of blood away with a gauze.

Are tongue and lip ties overdiagnosed?

Babies may be "overdiagnosed" with tongue-tie based on the findings of a functional and visual oral examination if providers are not well versed in the appearance of normal frenulae, providers aren't skilled at assessing musculofascial tightness or if issues such as Torticollis or Cranial Nerve Dysfunction are under- ...

Do tongue tied babies have more gas?

It's also likely that a tongue tied baby will take in more air than necessary, which can lead to a build up of gas. Many parents are quick to assume that their baby's gas is a result of reflux or colic when it could be because of tongue tie.

How does tongue-tie affect sleep?

The risk of sleep apnea

Over time, tongue ties and lip ties can cause growth problems inside the mouth, including dental misalignment, smaller roof of mouth and reduced upper airway space — eventually leading to an increased possibility the airway will collapse during sleep.

Does too much folic acid cause tongue-tie?

To date there are no published research papers demonstrating a link between folic acid supplementation and tongue-tie. In fact a study by Perez-Aguire et al (2018) which looked at folic acid consumption and a number of oral findings in new-borns found no link with tongue-tie.

What deficiency causes tongue-tie?

Vitamin A deficiency plays a role in oral development and tongue tie. Pre-natal nutrition is a pivotal part of newborn growth and dental development. For a long time in dental practice, I was unaware of what a tongue-tie was.

Does insurance cover tongue-tie surgery?

Is tongue-tie covered by insurance? Often, insurance providers and plans will cover the cost of a frenotomy or a frenuloplasty.

What is a Class 4 lip tie?

A class IV lip-tie connects the lip to the palate. This is the most severe form of tip-tie. A class III lip-tie connects the lip to the area where the two front teeth will later grow. A class II lip-tie connects the lip to the gingival tissue.

Can a lip tie delay speech?

When left untreated, a tongue or lip tie can impair a child's speech, affect tooth alignment and can cause cavities. Around the age of three, impaired speech becomes apparent.