Reattached Tongue Tie – Step-By-Step Guide With Pictures

Introduction

Tongue-tie is a condition that affects many infants, where the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight. The condition can cause difficulty in breastfeeding, speech, and other oral motor functions. Reattaching the tongue-tie is a common procedure performed by healthcare professionals to alleviate the symptoms of tongue-tie. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reattaching tongue-tie with step-by-step instructions and pictures.

Step 1: Preparing for the Procedure

Before the procedure, the infant is typically swaddled to keep them calm and still. The healthcare professional will then apply a local anesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain during the procedure. After the area is numb, the healthcare professional will use a sterile instrument to lift the tongue and identify the tongue-tie.

Step 2: Clipping the Tongue-Tie

Once the tongue-tie is identified, the healthcare professional will use a sterile scissor or laser to clip the tongue-tie. The procedure is quick and generally takes only a few seconds. After the tongue-tie is clipped, the healthcare professional will apply pressure to the area to prevent bleeding.

Step 3: Post-Procedure Care

After the procedure, the infant is typically given a few minutes to calm down before being handed back to the parent. The parent should continue to swaddle the infant to keep them calm and still. The healthcare professional will provide instructions on how to care for the area and prevent infection.

Reattachment Pictures

Below are pictures showing the step-by-step process of reattaching tongue-tie:

Picture 1: Identifying the Tongue-Tie

The healthcare professional uses a sterile instrument to lift the tongue and identify the tongue-tie.

Picture 2: Clipping the Tongue-Tie

The healthcare professional uses a sterile scissor or laser to clip the tongue-tie.

Picture 3: Post-Procedure Care

The healthcare professional provides instructions on how to care for the area and prevent infection.

Tips for Parents

Below are some tips for parents to help their infant after reattaching tongue-tie:

• Continue to swaddle the infant to keep them calm and still
• Offer the infant a cool, wet cloth to suck on to soothe the area
• Avoid feeding the infant for one hour after the procedure to prevent choking
• Follow the healthcare professional’s instructions on how to care for the area and prevent infection
• Monitor the infant for signs of bleeding, fever, or other complications and contact the healthcare professional if necessary

Conclusion

Reattaching tongue-tie is a common procedure performed by healthcare professionals to alleviate the symptoms of tongue-tie. The procedure is quick and generally takes only a few seconds. After the procedure, the parent should continue to swaddle the infant to keep them calm and still and follow the healthcare professional’s instructions on how to care for the area and prevent infection. If you have any concerns or questions about reattaching tongue-tie, contact your healthcare professional for more information.