Tongue Tie in West Linn, OR

The medical term for tongue tie is ankyloglossia, and it means a restriction of movement of the tongue due to an unusually short or thick band of tissue that tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In infants, this condition may interfere with breastfeeding and cause feeding issues.

Adults may develop tongue ties from physical trauma to the tongue or face, such as sports injuries, fights, or accidents. It can also be the result of genetics or certain behaviors, such as pacifier usage. While it can be difficult to detect in an infant without an experienced evaluation for tongue tie in West Linn, OR, there are a few signs that parents can look for to see if their baby may have a tongue tie. These include problems with nursing, difficulty latching on, pain when feeding, constant drooling, and speech impairments.

Treating Tongue Tie in West Linn, OR

Our sleep specialist can perform a simple procedure called a frenectomy to remove the extra tissue that is restricting movement in the tongue. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes less than half an hour to complete. After the procedure is complete, the patients can return to their normal activities without restrictions from tongue tie in West Linn, OR.

Tongue tie in West Linn, OR, may not resolve on its own. This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and only takes a few minutes. It can dramatically improve a patient’s ability to speak and eat. 

Tongue tie in West Linn, OR, is a condition that can affect adults as well, especially those with sleep apnea and other breathing disorders. If you suffer from any of these conditions or have questions about snoring, please call us today to schedule a consultation so you can sleep better at night!