What is tongue tie?

[Chloe55]

I hear about it a lot on diferrent threads but I have no idea what it is.

Sorry different!

It is where the tongue is joined to the base of the mouth so the tongue can't move as freely \link{http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/tonguetie.asp\description here}

Thanks LIZS - was not what I was thinking at all, don't even ask

my pal's son has this - has to have an operation but not too serious I don't think.
\link{http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/552046.html\info here}

friend's ds had his clipped at birth.

My DD who is 6 had hers done two weeks ago. Very simple procedure to rectify.

my ds had his snipped by the breast feeding councillor at 7 days. took a second to do it, and he cried a little but was fine.

Joceybean, we are thinking of getting ds tongue-tie done but not sure how he is going to feel about it. He has just turned 5, can I ask you some questions?
Was it done under GA or local?
By a dentist or surgeon?
How did you get referred?
where was it done?
We have always been told its not necessary, but his bottom teeth now have a big gap, and one is wobbly, we aren't sure what the impact will be on his second teeth. His is quite bad, in that the frenulum goes right to the tip, but I don;t think he had a problem feeding, or with speech. He hates having food around his mouth as he can't lick his lips. Sorry for so may questions

Hello keeping mum. We were refered by our dentist but only because I asked him if he could have a look. We only had to wait a few months from referal to having it done. We were worried like you as she was older but in the end she was very brave (much more than me!) She went in as a day case at 7:30 am and we were home by 12:30. She had a general and we were by her bed in recovery in about half an hour. It was sore for 3 or 4 days but we gave her calpol which helped. She was given dissolvable stiches so no need to go back either. We don't regret it one bit as like you were worried about her teeth and the fact she has a lisp and could not lick her lips or move her tongue around her mouth. Good luck and will be happy to answer any more questions if I can. All the info around is about babies, not older children.

Thanks Joceybean, thats very helpful. I am beginning to wish we had done it when he was much younger and wouldn't remember anything. It sounds like your dd has been a very brave girl. Did she want it done? We keep asking ds if he would like it done as then he could stick his tongue out at his sister, if we do get it done, I want him to feel that he had some choice in it. We also think he may need to be circumcised at some point - blimmin' frenulums! Thanks again and hope your dd has recovered well now.

Hi KeepingMum.We didn't really realise for sure what it was until about six months ago. We had terrible trouble breast feeding etc but no one suggested to us about tongue tie. I thought the classic 'M' shape tongue tip was a quirk to her. No one ever sugested she might have it and we didn't know about it. Looking back it was obvious. With regards to her wanting it done, she was used to the way her mouth was so did not know any difference although she is pleased with it now she can see the result. I dont know if your ds has any trouble with his speech or not but consultant did say once you have had it done it takes the brain a while to realise it can work if that makes sense. Its one of those horrid situations where you know if you dont have it done its not the end of the world, but will improve quality of life if you do. Bless you ds, having problems both ends!

My ds had this done a few months ago as well - age 5. again he was in and out in a day with no ill-effects whatsoever. As I understand any op in the mouht is always done under a general as obviously the breathing can be restricted if they are working in the mouth. However as the op only lasts a few minutes the anaesthetic is very light. He went to a special paediatric ENT day surgery unit. Everyone was very nice and although a few days before he got a bit whingy and said he didn;t want it done he is very happy now that he can stick his tongue out and lick ice cream properly. His consultant said to encouorgage him to stick his tongue out and try to curl it (he almost can now and is delighted!) as the later they are when they have it done the harder it is for them to learn how to use their tongues fully. HTH

My son's was diagnosed a few days after birth. Why they don't just snip it there and then I'll never know, as it can be done in a few seconds with no anaethetic.

Breastfeeding was hard. Weaning was very hard as he kept choking (once nearly choked to death). Had to wait ages to be seen at hosp. By then it had loosened a bit, so they won't operate. They want to see if he developed speech problems first. Great. And of course in the future he'll have to have a general anaethetic.