How to Treat Ankyloglossia

Ankyloglossia is a condition that occurs when the membrane that connects the tongue to the lower mouth is too short. Called "tongue tie" more commonly, ankyloglossia can affect feeding habits, speech and the mechanical movements of the mouth. Read on to learn more about how to treat ankyloglossia.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide if treatment for ankyloglossia is necessary. Mild cases of ankyloglossia may be left alone, as mild cases often improve as a child grows. Severe tongue tie that leaves the tongue anchored to the bottom part of the mouth requires surgical intervention. Any case of ankyloglossia that causes feeding issues in an infant must be surgically treated.

• 2

  Understand the two types of surgical treatment for ankyloglossia. Frenotomy is a procedure in which a doctor simply clips the frenulum (the membrane that attaches the tongue to the lower mouth) in the office. This method is used on infants and requires no anesthesia. Done in the office, the procedure takes a few minutes. Frenuloplasty is a more involved procedure performed on older children and adults to free the frenulum completely. A plastic or oral surgeon alters the frenulum and stitches the wound. Recovery time is quick and acetaminophen is prescribed for pain.

• 3

  Perform tongue exercises after you treat ankyloglossia. Calculated tongue movements help to stretch the frenulum and improve the range of tongue motion.