When surgery to treat tongue prey is indicated

The surgery for the tongue caught in the baby is usually only done after 6 months and is only recommended when the baby can not nurse or, later, when the child can not speak properly due to lack of movement of the tongue, for example.

Generally, surgery is the only way to cure the tongue trapped in the baby, especially when there is difficulty in sucking or speech delay due to the problem. However, in milder cases, where the tongue stuck does not affect the baby's life, treatment may not be necessary and the problem may resolve itself.

So all cases of tongue trapped should be evaluated by a pediatrician to decide which treatment is the best time to do the surgery and which type of surgery best fits the baby's needs.

Types of surgery to cure prey tongue

The types of surgery to cure the prey tongue vary according to the age of the baby and the main problem being caused by the tongue, such as difficulty in suckling or speaking. Thus, the most commonly used types include:

After any type of surgery, the pediatrician usually recommends doing speech therapy sessions to improve language movements that have not been learned by the baby through the use of exercises that should be adapted to the child's age and problems.

What can happen if the tongue stuck is not treated

Complications of tongue trapped when not treated with surgery vary according to the age and severity of the problem. Thus, the most frequent complications include:

• Difficulty in suckling;
• Delay in development or growth;
• Speech problems or delay in language development;
• Difficulty introducing solid foods into the child's diet;
• Risk of choking;
• Problems in teeth related to the difficulty to maintain oral hygiene.

In addition, tongue tethering can also cause changes in appearance, especially in children and adults, resulting in self-confidence problems.

If you have questions about whether your child has a tongue stuck, see: How to tell if your baby has a tongue stuck.