If they do require a tongue tie division, we will take the time to explain the procedure to you in detail and will answer any questions that you might have. Our ENT surgeon will be able to assess your child’s condition and perform the tongue tie surgery on the same day.
What is Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is an ENT problem that some children can be born with. It affects the movement of the tongue and, in some cases, the baby’s tongue tie can cause a problem with breast or bottle feeding, in which case a referral to an ENT surgeon is made.
Often, the tongue tie is noticed at birth by the midwife; however, on some occasions, it’s not recognised until the child is seen at home by the Health Visitor or the GP.
In rarer cases, if it has been left untreated, the tongue tie can also affect speech in older children.
Tongue Tie Symptoms
If you are worried that your baby may have a tongue tie, there are a few signs that can help you determine if that is the case:
Issues with breastfeeding
If your baby suffers from a tongue tie, you may notice they have difficulty in their latch to your breast and may click during feeds. The feeds themselves may be limited and it can be painful for the mother.
Difficulty in tongue movement
The tongue tie manifests itself as a difficulty moving the tongue. A tongue-tied baby may not be able to stick their tongue past their upper gums or touch the roof of their mouth with their tongue. If your infant is struggling with tongue movement from side to side or up and down, it may also be a sign of tongue tie.
A notch at the tip of the tongue
Sometimes you may spot a heart-shaped or a V-shaped notch on your baby’s tongue. This is a key indicator of a tongue tie.
If you spot any of these symptoms and your baby is struggling to feed naturally, our experienced ENT doctors at Midland Health can offer a tongue tie consultation and tongue tie surgery.
Tongue Tie Assessment
Our ENT surgeon will be able to carry out an assessment of the suspected tongue tie and will also be able to carry out a tongue tie division procedure on the same day in a safe and secure clinic setting. We do not advocate the division of tongue ties (which is a procedure) in the home or the non-clinical setting.
Our ENT surgeon also specialises in Posterior tongue tie division.
After the tongue tie is divided the child is encouraged to feed. Our ENT surgeon will then check the tongue tie site prior to discharging you home from our clinic.
Tongue Tie Surgery
If your baby is tongue-tied but can still feed without any problems, no treatment is needed. They will simply grow out of it. However, when their feeding ability is impaired, tongue tie surgery may be required.
The prospect of your baby undergoing surgery may sound daunting; however, tongue tie surgery, also called tongue tie division, is not as scary as it sounds. It is a quick and simple procedure.
The process involves cutting the piece of tissue (Frenulum) that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth to free the tongue’s movements. It only takes a few seconds to perform in the hands of an experienced surgeon and you can start feeding your baby immediately after. Please note that in-clinic tongue tie division is only performed in under 6 month olds. Those over 6 months should book an ENT consultation first as surgery may not be required or need an anaesthetic.
If you have any concerns or questions, our team of experienced ENT specialists at Midland Health, will be happy to answer all your queries.
Our ENT Surgeons
Amit Parmar is our Adult and Paediatric Consultant ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon who performs our tongue tie consultations and surgeries. He graduated with distinctions from St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine, winning the nationally prestigious Wolfson Fellowship and Henry Silverman ENT Prize in the process.
He then progressed his understanding by obtaining a diploma in Head and Neck Surgery in the South West of England and passing the Fellowship exams. He was admitted as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2015. To further advance his knowledge, Mr Parmar travelled to Perth, Western Australia and developed additional ENT surgery skills, specifically refining his expertise in Airway, Head and Neck Surgery.
During his impressive career, Mr Parmar has worked in several world-renowned institutions, including Great Ormond Street and Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital. He is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, recognising his extensive training and qualifications.
Outside the wards, he has given lectures to medical students at the University of Bristol, is developing a training programme for aspiring ENT Surgeons and has obtained a Master's Degree from the University of Birmingham to pursue his interest in management and leadership.
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Prices
Tongue-Tie Division Under 6 months
£250
Includes assessment and procedure in clinic
Tongue-Tie Division Consultation in Adults
£250*
*Plus £250 Procedure in clinic under Local Anaesthetic
Tongue-Tie Division Consultation in Children
£250*
Over 6 months
*Plus procedure under general anaesthetic £1000 (Guidance)
Please note: If your child requires general anaesthetic for this treatment, the procedure will cost between £900-£1000 and will be performed at our local partner hospital. For adults, the cost is £250 for local anaesthetic, in addition to the consultation fee.
FAQ
What is tongue tie?
Tongue-tie (also called ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the tip of the tongue is bound to the floor of the mouth by an abnormally thick, tight or short band of tissue (lingual frenulum).
What are a posterior and an anterior tongue tie?
Posterior tongue ties appear at the back of the tongue, nearer to the base and are harder to spot. Anterior tongue ties are more severe, with the tongue being bound all the way to the tip. They are easier to diagnose.
Does tongue tie affect breastfeeding?
Yes. Some infants who are tongue-tied may experience issues latching on to the breast properly, as they are not able to open their mouths wide enough. Usually, the shorter and tighter the tongue tie is, the more likely your baby is to struggle with breastfeeding.
How can you tell if your baby is tongue tied?
Some of the most common signs of tongue tie are:
- If your baby shows difficulties in moving their tongue upwards or from side to side.
- Sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth is hard for your child.
- The tongue appears to have a V-shaped or a heart-shaped notch.
Can tongue tie resolve itself?
No. While the tongue is unlikely to resolve itself, the problems it may be causing can occasionally get better as the child grows.
Is tongue tie surgery necessary?
Tongue tie, if left untreated, can cause various problems from issues feeding in babies to oral health problems in older children. Whether surgery is necessary varies depending on the individual case. Please get in touch with your Midland Health ENT specialist for advice.
How much does tongue tie surgery cost?
The cost of the tongue tie division surgery at Midland Health is £250.
Does tongue tie surgery hurt babies?
Tongue tie surgeries are performed by trained medical professionals, when properly carried out babies cry for only a few seconds after which they are fed. In some cases local anaesthetic is applied to ensure they don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
How long does a tongue tie take to heal?
Tongue tie division only takes seconds to perform. In some cases, a white patch may appear under the tongue of the baby but it normally takes only a couple of days to heal.
Can adults and older children have tongue tie surgery?
Yes. If an adult or an older child experiences issues, tongue tie surgery can be performed. Please note that in-clinic tongue tie division is only performed in under 6 month olds. Those over 6 months should book an ENT consultation first as surgery may not be required or need an anaesthetic.
What age do you treat for tongue tie?
We can treat tongue ties in babies younger than three-months-old without using anaesthesia. There is no need to worry about pain as at this age, infants have fewer nerve endings or blood vessels.
If you are looking for a tongue tie specialist in Birmingham and the West Midlands, the experienced ENT surgeons at Midland Health will be able to perform the procedure on the same day as your consultation.
To arrange an appointment at our Tongue Tie clinic in Birmingham, contact us by completing the form below or give us a call. We will then schedule a private consultation that can suit your timetable.
