A tight lingual frenulum in a newborn: signs and treatment

Short frenulum in a newborn baby — it's a relatively common problem increasingly face today's parents. With timely detection to worry no reason. In this article we will explain why there is such a defect, as it is possible to identify yourself, in some cases, surgery is required.

Anatomical features of the frenulum under the tongue

The Frenulum is a thin jumper which is located under the tongue and connects it with the lower part of the mouth. It is fully lined with mucous membrane. Thanks to the membrane in the sublingual region, this body is constantly kept in a certain position.

Also in the mouth there are two jumpers: the upper lores and the ear between the lower lip and gums. Collectively, they provide the motility of the lips, articulation, the process of chewing food.

The length of the lingual frenum in an adult is not more than 3 cm, newborn — only 8 mm. it normally does not interfere with the movement of the tongue, speaking and eating.

A tight lingual frenulum in a newborn is considered a pathology. The severity of this defect depends on the length and location of the body. The most difficult is when the front end is attached directly to the tip of the tongue, pulling it. In this case, the language is hardly ever raised. Even in the silence it remains between the teeth.

General causes

Approximately 50% of cases pathology is inherited from one parent of the child. On the formation of the bridle to the direct impact the behavior and wellbeing of the mother during the first trimester of pregnancy. Hormonal drugs and antibiotics can negatively impact the formation of oral apparatus of the baby.

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A role in the development of this anatomical defect belongs to the age of the mother, adverse environmental conditions, harmful habits. All of these factors combined can affect the health of the child. As the practice of medicine, short frenulum occurs in one in a thousand newborn babies, and the pathology is more frequently diagnosed in boys.

Signs of defect

A tight lingual frenulum in a newborn has a number of characteristics, therefore, to determine the presence of defect very easily. It is usually eliminate still in the hospital.

The first sign of pathology is the language of heart-shaped with a slightly drawn back with the tip. Also called physicians and other symptoms.

1. The feeding Process takes a long time, the child can not long keep the breast in his mouth.
2. Newborn not gaining weight adequately due to the fact that not eats.
3. When feeding the baby chews and chews on her nipple, smacking.
4. After feeding the baby spits up, his abdomen is bloated, which is always accompanied by painful cramps.
5. Women Have changes in appearance of nipples, there are typical cracks.

Sometimes moms reduced the amount of milk produced, since this process requires a certain stimulation and her child in full can not provide.

Short frenulum and breastfeeding

This anatomical feature is easy to determine the wrong engagement, as well as breastfeeding newborn. If not promptly cut the bridle, the baby will not be able to eat and will eventually begin to significantly lag behind in weight. To deny him breastfeeding also should not be, because a woman runs the risk of losing milk.

Normally, kids with such disorders often asked chest, quickly abandon it, or it just constantly slips out of his mouth. The child cannot correctly “stick” and to fix the tongue in the right position. The latter is directly involved in the production of milk. When tongue mobility is limited due to the anatomical features of the newborn have to use while feeding the gums and lips. As a result, the baby starts to bite and chew the nipple that is accompanied by unpleasant sensations for mom. The child also very tired. Because of the strong surge of the muscles of the jaws, sometimes there is a tremor.

Thus, breastfeeding is usually ineffective, discomfort and requires a lot of effort for a newborn with a diagnosis of “tongue-tied”.

How to identify the defect on their own?

The length of the frenulum in the newborn must be at least 8 mm For the detection of the defect is enough to pull your lower lip so that the child opened her mouth. Visually it is possible to determine whether the frenulum is short. This is evidenced by the fact that the tongue is attached near the tip, that is, it barely touches the lips.

The easiest way to detect pathology in children 2-3 years old, when they begin to speak. If an incorrect diction or pronunciation of certain sounds parents usually take the child to a speech therapist. It specialist detects a birth defect. If parents detect it early, treatment of short frenulum can do massage, or articulation exercises.

How to eliminate pathology?

Ifanatomical defect is detected in a newborn baby who can't breastfeed, problem is fixed immediately to the hospital. This operation does not require anesthesia because the bridle is devoid of nerve endings, therefore, insensitive to pain. The procedure is very easy and absolutely safe. After this, the child immediately applied to the chest. Milk helps stop bleeding and rapid healing of the injured area.

To Cut the bridle can have children few months of life. In this case, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. The classic method of using a surgical scissors is also applicable, but increasingly doctors prefer to resort to the help of electrocoagulation. Modern laser surgery has the necessary techniques to eliminate this defect.

At what age is best to do the operation?

To surgery was as painless as possible, it is recommended to carry it out in the first weeks of baby's life. Over time the membrane thickens. For example, nine-month-old child during the surgery is require anesthesia and sutures.

If this time is missed, the next suitable time is the period when the baby will already be 2.5 years. At this stage milk occlusion is fixed, but the pronunciation is not yet fully developed.

Following a favorable period — five years. At this age there is a replacement of milk teeth to permanent, formed bite.

Modern laser surgery allows to conduct operations of this kind at any age. The intervention is simple for a qualified physician. The operation lasts several minutes and is not accompanied by complications in the future. However, after surgical treatment of older children need additional speech therapy.

Possible complications

The Difficulties with breast-feeding — the only problem, which entails a tight lingual frenulum in a newborn. Incorrect functioning of language affects the formation of the jaws, bite. Sometimes this condition is a predisposing factor to the occurrence of gingivitis, periodontitis and other problems of a dental nature.

If you do not correct an anatomical defect in a timely manner, in the future the child can have difficulties with diction, the pronunciation of sounds. In such cases, additional help of a speech therapist. Among other unpleasant consequences of the specialists include the formation of interdental cracks, excessive production of saliva, nocturnal snoring.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, today's newborns are increasingly, doctors diagnose this pathology as a short bridle. What to do with this anatomical defect as independently to identify it, you can learn from this article.

With timely detection of pathology and surgical intervention the prognosis for most children is favourable. Due to the undercutting of the frenulum improves breathing, the baby gains weight. Unpleasant symptoms, which can determine the presence of such a anatomical defect, gradually disappear. The sooner the specialist will perform the procedure, the higher the probability to prevent malocclusion and problems with diction. Remember: health and well-being of the baby in the hands of parents.