Episode 11
Tongue-Tie
One of the most missed diagnoses in infants is a tongue, lip, or buccal tie. Often the mom will struggle with breastfeeding, have pain, the baby will have a shallow latch and click on the breast, and the mama will have to do more frequent feedings. The best person to consult with is either a lactation expert or a pediatric dentist. Listen to our episode as we interview a Mom who shares her story about her daughter having 4 ties and Dr. Elena Rumack, the "tooth whisperer" to discover why this diagnosis is so often missed and yet so important.
How To Connect With Our Guests:
Guest: Dr. Elena Rumack
www.calabasastoothfairy.com
Guest: Allison Patch
www.patchcounseling.com
Products Recommended In This Episode:
Show Notes:
-Facts about tongue and lip ties:
Tethered Oral Tissues: Tethered oral tissues (TOTs) refers to restrictive tissue in the mouth that impacts how you are able to use your mouth.
Ankyloglossia: Tongue tie
Tongue-tie: A short lingual frenum that interferes with normal tongue movement
Lip-tie: The skin of the upper lip is attached to the gums in a way that prevents lip movement and makes breastfeeding difficult for your baby.
Buccal-tie: When abnormal tissues connect the inside of the cheeks to the gums
Most missed diagnosis in infants
5-10% of babies get tongue tied but anecdotal evidence says 25% or 1 in 4 babies have ties
Boys are more effected than girls
When function is effected then it is a tie
You have to have a physical exam with the provider lifting the tongue and assessing the function of the mouth
What to look for:
Babies suck and suck and get tired at the breast
Moms might see more cluster feedings
Nipples will be lipstick shaped/flattened
Nipple pain
Shallow latch
Poor weight gain
Clicking on breast
Bottle fed infants suck with their cheeks so ties are missed
A Mom with a heavy let down can also miss a tongue tie
When treated:
Babies will eat better and sleep better post procedure
When should I start dental care?
By the first tooth eruption or 1 year old
Consequences for not treating a tie:
Congestion
Allergies
Trouble breathing
Sleep issues
Apnea
Hyperactivity
Misdiagnosis of ADHD
Difficulty mashing solid foods, leading to picky eating behaviors
Speech issues
Exhaustion effecting academic performance
Narrow dental arches creating less room for teeth
More cavities
Poor spine alignment
Procedure:
Area is numbed with topical
Cool laser is used
No bleeding occurs with laser vs scissors
Laser provides further accuracy
It feels like a canker sore
Wound healing:
Use coconut oil
Want wound to heal by secondary intention where skin fills into area
Apply coconut oil and do wound care with each diaper change
Tips:
Listen to your mommy instincts
Consult with a lactation expert
Consult with a pediatric dentist
Close babies mouth, the tongue needs to sit on top of roof of mouth
Use a cloth to wipe off gums of baby
Establish care early on
Go to the right person for
Product Recommendations:
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