Dr. Tran’s most asked question must be, what is a tongue tie? A tongue tie is the attachment underneath your tongue called a “Frenulum.” It is a fold of skin that supports the motion of whatever it attaches to. The frenulum located underneath the tongue is called the “LINGUAL” frenulum. It helps to hold the tongue to the floor of the mouth as it moves around. Sometimes, this attachment doesn’t completely separate in utero, causing the tongue to be tethered, preventing it from having its full range of motion. Read on.
It is normal to have a lingual frenulum, everyone has one! So you can’t just diagnose it based on looks alone. Usually, this shouldn’t bother the baby, but if it is tight, they will fuss even from the most gentle pull. The biggest problem a tongue tie can cause is with tongue function. The earliest sign of impacted tongue function is, of course, with breastfeeding.
The biggest problem a tongue tie can cause is with tongue function. The earliest sign of impacted tongue function is, of course, with breastfeeding. As the baby develops, other issues may arise, such as
- Difficulty with swallowing certain textures of foods
- Choking/gagging on select solid foods, speech articulation issues
- Development of a tongue thrust
The tongue may also influence the growth of the upper and lower jaw. This may result in:
- Narrow upper jaw
- High palatal vault (roof of mouth)
- Dental crowding
- Retruded lower jaw
If there is any impact on the jaw growth as they are developing, the ramifications can continue on as an adult. If you yourself have a tongue tie, you might notice the following:
TMJ problems
Neck/shoulder pain
Mouth breathing
Sleep issues
Forward head posture
Dr. Tran is able to fix an infant tongue tie by releasing the restriction using her LightScalpel CO2 Laser. It is important that the release is done completely to ensure a full release, which is why she has chosen this particular tool. The amazing benefits to the LightScalpel CO2 laser includes:
- Minimal discomfort
- Little to no bleeding during the procedure, providing a clear view for complete release
- Faster healing
- Bacteriacidal properties
- Increased precision, allowing for complete removal of the tie. Nothing is of greater priority than providing the highest quality of care to our families, so Dr. Tran took a big leap and invested in what she believes is best.
The biggest problem a tongue tie can cause is with tongue function. The earliest sign of impacted tongue function is, of course, with breastfeeding. As the baby develops, other issues may arise, such as
- Difficulty with swallowing certain textures of foods
- Choking/gagging on select solid foods, speech articulation issues
- Development of a tongue thrust
The tongue may also influence the growth of the upper and lower jaw. This may result in:
- Narrow upper jaw
- High palatal vault (roof of mouth)
- Dental crowding
- Retruded lower jaw
If there is any impact on the jaw growth as they are developing, the ramifications can continue on as an adult. If you yourself have a tongue tie, you might notice the following:
TMJ problems
Neck/shoulder pain
Mouth breathing
Sleep issues
Forward head posture
Healing happens very quickly in infants- they are new and fresh with cells that proliferate at a great speed! Dr. Tran believes it is important to follow-up frequently, because nothing is more frustrating than having to go through the procedure twice. After the procedure is completed, she expects to see the baby again at:
2 days
5 days
1 week
2 weeks
The other goal of these frequent follow ups is just being able to support the families. Dr. Tran is here for you and wants to make the process as easy as possible for you and your baby. Let’s be honest, no baby, mother, or family is the same. We all have different personalities and things that makes us us, so Dr. Tran listens and does her best to figure out what can be done to make the process easy and successful for you and your baby.
Dr. Tracy Tran prides herself on going the extra mile. Quite literally. Experience your doctor’s care from the comfort of your home in a concierge appointment or from her accessible locations across the LA county area.
Get in touch for pricing and availability.