Question
After my baby turned one month old, I noticed that the tongue tie is short. Do I need to treat it immediately? Will it affect future language development?
Answer
A short tongue tie may affect the baby’s language development and oral health. A baby with a short tongue tie may have restricted tongue movement, which can impact pronunciation, particularly of sounds involving the tongue and palate. Additionally, babies with a short tongue tie might face difficulties in feeding, which could lead to malnutrition. It is recommended to consult an oral surgeon for a professional assessment and treatment. Typically, tongue tie correction surgery can be performed when the baby is between 6 months and 18 months old, as the procedure is simple and effective. After the surgery, the baby will need to avoid eating temporarily and make regular follow-up visits to check on the wound healing. For older children whose language abilities have been affected, speech therapy may be required after surgery.