Short lingual frenulum (frenulum of the tongue)

A short lingual frenulum is a condition present at birth that reduces tongue mobility. It can make suckling and feeding difficult; later, it can hinder the pronunciation of certain sounds and maintenance of oral hygiene.

Lingual frenulum (frenulum of the tongue)

It is located at the junction of the underside of the tongue and the oral cavity floor.

In the first months of life, the baby may have difficulty suckling. Later, he/she has problems with reduced tongue mobility, touching his/her upper teeth, moving the tongue to one side or the other, licking ice cream; when sticking out his/her tongue, it will be heart-shaped instead of having a pointed tip. The child has problems pronouncing the sounds CH, SH, ZH, J, L and R. To pronounce these sounds, the lingual frenulum needs to stretch enough to allow the tip of the tongue to move freely. The child may have difficulties swallowing solid foods and maintaining oral hygiene.

It sometimes occurs in several family members; it is more common in boys. The assessment of the problem should consider:

  • the degree of ankyloglossia (appearance and mobility of the tongue)
  • the extent to which ankyloglossia affects suckling efficiency

While the baby is suckling, the tongue should be over the lower gums in the lower jaw. If he/she can't move the tongue enough or keep it in the correct position, the baby will chew instead of suckling. Breastfeeding can be painful and lead to nipple damage, and in some cases the baby will not suckle enough and gain weight.

Frenectomy (tongue-tie release)

The frenulum removal procedure is simple; in infants, it can be performed without anesthesia and with few complications . The laser method is suitable for precision. absence of bleeding, pain, and wound suturing. If it is necessary, it is advisable to have it performed as early as possible, in the first months of life. After frenectomy, mothers report that the baby latches on the breast better and suckles better already after 48 hours, and mothers who previously complained of sore nipples report that they no longer feel pain. After the procedure, a period of baby's adjustment to the new way of suckling is needed.

A short frenulum is usually not a serious problem and does not require treatment; tongue mobility improves over time and the problem can resolve itself. It is sometimes hastily assessed that surgery is needed and suggested to parents already in the maternity hospital. It is better to wait a month or two, unless the baby has difficulties suckling and breastfeeding is painful for the mother.