A newborn infant may have difficulty latching onto their mother’s breast during breastfeeding. This can be a difficult condition to spot, but can become evident during a Newborn physical examination. Aside from difficulty in feeding, other signs that a child has ankyloglossia include difficulty speaking and being able to understand speech.
SIGNS OF TONGUE-TIE IN INFANTS.
The symptoms of a tongue-tie in a baby are pointers to a problem with their feeding. If the tongue-tie does not affect the baby’s feeding, it may not require treatment. However, in cases where the baby’s breastfeeding is affected, treatment is necessary. There are different types of surgery that can be done to fix the tongue-tie.
TYPES OF TONGUE-TIE SURGERY.
Many times, healthcare providers recommend tongue-tie surgery as early as after the birth of the baby, because it can cause problems like speech impairment or change in the shape of the mouth later in life. Parents are usually worried about the condition appearing later in their child’s life, but most times it does not. After the surgery, whichever type is performed, some post-care treatments are essential to avoid recurrence or complications. Oral exercises and tongue stretching multiple times a day can be very essential in total recovery. The total cost from surgery to recovery varies, provided that there are no complications since most surgeries are performed in the healthcare provider’s office. Other factors the cost depends on are insurance and attending physician.
THE COST OF A TONGUE-TIE SURGERY.
The surgery to remove a tongue-tie can be expensive, but it is usually covered by insurance. The surgery may require additional costs, such as therapy and medication. The total cost of the surgery may range from $200 to $600.
Conclusion
There are a few cases where tongue-tie surgery is necessary, but it is usually only the healthcare provider who can determine that. Some parents choose to leave their children to naturally heal and regret their actions in the future when the child finds it hard to communicate clearly. Aside from the physical effect it can have on a child, it can also affect them psychologically when they start mixing with other people. This is why it is essential to take action immediately after it is discovered. It will help reduce complications and even pain that comes with surgery.
Ankyloglossia can put a limitation on saliva production, making the mouth to be occasionally dry. A dry mouth can encourage bacteria breeding; hence, tongue-tied patients risk developing gum diseases.
Tongue-tie cases are often left untreated, and as the child grows older, it can become a problem. Adults with a tongue-tie have an overall reduced quality of life as they may experience difficulty in activities that require the use of the mouth, like playing a wind instrument or kissing.
