Untreated tongue tie could affect oral function – Expert warns
NAN-H-49
Tongue
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Dr Adekunle Otuneye, a Consultant Paediatrician with National Hospital Abuja, on Wednesday said untreated tongue tie could affect oral functions.
Otuneye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the structure and appearance of the face and teeth could also be affected.
He advised parents to seek medical help if they notice any abnormality around the tongue.
He said about five to 10 per cent of newborns are reported to tongue-tie.
According to him, tongue-tie, also known as Ankyloglossia, is a congenital anomaly whereby the tongue tethered down to the floor of the mouth.
“Tongue tie results in the restriction in the movement of the tongue resulting in the limitation in the ability to lift the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth or protruded beyond the lower gum.
“A few cases have been shown to occur commonly in some families or reported to be associated with other forms of congenital anomalies like cleft-lip and palate, maternal exposure to certain drugs and some congenital syndromes,’’ Otuneye said.
He said the complication of tongue tie could result to the inability of a baby to latch effectively for breastfeeding, saying the baby may become malnourished.
“Other complications are poor bonding between mother and the newborn, injury to the nipple, infection of the nipple and breast-tissue, psychological distress to mother,
“delay in speech development, abnormal speech production and eating disorders.
“Several options are available when a tongue tie to be restricting movement, when the frenum, the string that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is abnormal such a situation requires surgical correction by an appropriate professional,’’ Otuneye said.
He said prevention specifically involves early identification and treatment to avoid any complications.
The medical expert also advised that every newborn should be examined by health workers at birth for the anomaly to be corrected at early stage.
Otuneye said that every mother who suspects such should seek evaluation at the closest health facility for appropriate intervention. (NAN) OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola