Tongue-Tie Surgeries in Babies on the Rise: American Academy of Pediatrics Report

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new recommendations on Monday for treating and diagnosing tongue-tie after noting a rise in diagnosis and surgeries in babies in recent years. Ankyloglossia, or “tongue-tie,” is a natural variation of oral structure, the doctors wrote. However, in some babies, it may interfere with feeding when the tongue frenulum, the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short or tight to allow the necessary range of motion. In these cases, treatments are considered. “There is a lack of consensus for treatment of ankyloglossia, leading to wide practice variation in the United States and internationally,” said the clinical report....