Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition present at birth. The tongue’s range of motion is restricted by an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethered to the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. It can affect the way a child breastfeeds and swallows, and later eats. This often-overlooked condition, if not discovered at birth, can also make breastfeeding painful for the mother. The tongue’s movement restriction prevents a baby’s lips from forming a seal and the baby pops off the breast. The tongue is also unable to work in a way that transfers enough milk.

In children, tongue-tie can lead to reflux, colic, low weight gain and later speech and dental problems, such as a gap between the front teeth and the more serious conditions of airway concerns like snoring and sleep apnea, which is frequently undiagnosed.

Mothers are often in tears because they’ve been told that something is wrong with them, that they have the wrong kind of milk, or that they should give up on breastfeeding and give the baby formula. These women are so relieved to discover that their baby’s tongue-tie can be addressed in the dental office with a simple laser procedure that requires no general anesthesia. The laser numbs the area and stops any bleeding.

Mark Corke, DDS, owner of Laser Dentistry, 1550 Matthew Dr., Fort Myers performs laser procedures for tongue-tie. For more information on the laser procedure performed by Dr. Corke, call 239-936-5442. Visit FortMyersLaserDentist.com.