Posterior Tongue Ties in Infants: If you are thinking about a revision
To Revise or Not to Revise?
Tongue ties in infants can present challenges for both breastfeeding, overall oral development, and constant tension all the way through the body to the toes. In this blog post, we will explore the topic of tongue ties, including posterior tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. Additionally, I will share a personal experience with tongue tie revision and recommend a trusted pediatric dentist in the Boston area. <3 One of our Boston Hero’s!
Understanding Tongue Ties:
A tongue tie occurs when the thin piece of tissue (frenulum) that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is unusually tight or restrictive. In the case of posterior tongue ties, they can be harder to diagnose as they may not be visible without specialized evaluation techniques. A lip tie refers to an attachment of the upper lip to the gums, which may restrict its movement. A buccal tie involves tightness or restriction of the tissue between the cheek and the gums.
Potential Long-Term Effects (POTENTIAL is the keyword!):
If left untreated, tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties can impact various aspects of a child's oral development and overall health. These effects can include difficulty breastfeeding, speech delays, dental issues, and poor oral posture. Oral dysfunction is also intimately connected to the breath which has rippling implications for overall health. Recent research suggests that older children with unrevised tongue-ties can also present with ADHD-like symptoms (sometimes misdiagnosed)...WHAT?! The tension created in the mouth pulls through the entire body. Click this link for an understanding of how the connectedness of the fascia has an effect from the mouth to the TOES! Ah!
Personal Experience with Tongue Tie Revision:
Our baby had a posterior tongue tie, two buccal ties, and a lip tie. None of his ties were severe enough to be flagged in the hospital by an ENT. However, after being home for two months, his weight gain was a bit slow, and breastfeeding was “fine” but quite messy and I felt he was getting a lot of air with each gulp…often leaving him super gassy (poor guy!). I also had to use nippleshields pre-revision. At the recommendation of our AMAZING Doula/lactation consultant (@TranquilityByHehe, and our all-star Chiropractor, Dr. Lizzie Sobel), we sought the expertise of Dr. Heidi Aaronson in Wellesley, a trusted pediatric dentist experienced in tongue tie revisions. After meeting Dr. Aaronson, I immediately felt comfortable and confident in our plan for a revision. In the consultation she went through all of the details of what was happening with his ties and what the revision would entail…even showing images of her own daughter's revision and progress after the procedure. She examined Archie’s mouth and also noted tensions in his face and body…his one eye was a bit droopy (something we had been working with Dr. Lizzie on) and she could even predict his breast preference for nursing based on the side of his mouth the ties were on. WOW! All of my small concerns that I felt were not “normal” or “optimal” were addressed and confirmed…so validating, I’m NOT CRAZY!. Dr. Aaronson uses a cold laser release technique, which is quick and minimally invasive. I was back and forth on what to do before the consultation, but after the appointment with her we immediately called to schedule the revision a few days later.
On the big day, I cried in the waiting room, allll the feels. I thought about my Mom waiting outside of the operating room when I had my heart surgery as a 9 month old…and decided I needed to toughen up a wee bit. This became especially apparent when he came back out, not even 5 minutes later…his tears quickly soothed by a breastfeeding session. The first feed was a little messy, he was learning how to use his new mouth!
We did see some temporary fussiness and tears later that day, but quickly returned to normal. I nursed him more often and we did take a relaxing bath together…it was not even severe enough to use any pain medication. I was beyond impressed when I received a text from Dr. Heidi at 9:00pm checking in on all of us…what an angel! We diligently followed Dr. Aaronson recommended oral stretches for the next month, and our little guy thrived, reaching milestones like rolling over just days after the procedure. He was FREE!
Consult Your Physician and Find the Right Provider:
It's essential to consult with your physician and work with a trusted healthcare professional to make the best decision for your child. If you're in the Boston area and seeking a pediatric dentist specializing in tongue tie revisions, Dr. Heidi Aaronson comes highly recommended for her expertise, care, and dedication to her patients' well-being. I will say that after being flagged by both our Doula and our Chiropractor (neither of whom can diagnose a tongue-tie, but see SOOOO many babes and recognize the signs!), I mentioned to our pediatrician my concern. Our Doctor did not believe it to be an issue and advised against pursuing anything…this was contrary to what my gut was telling me based on our latch issues and the weight gain. We adore our Ped…but just a lesson in trusting your gut!
All of this being said, when faced with a potential tongue tie, making the decision about revision can be super challenging, especially if it is not severe. It's important to consider the potential long-term effects and consult with professionals. In our case, he may have been “fine” without a revision…but I was haunted by the thought of him with tension in the body or headaches or chronic pain from an issue that would be temporarily uncomfortable, never mind the oral dysfunction potential. This was the case for our little one, but remember, every child is unique, and finding the right approach for their specific needs is crucial. Trust your parenting gut and there is no wrong choice!
<3
SolBe Mar