The number of infants diagnosed as being "tongue-tied" has increased 10-fold between 1997 and 2012, but a recent study suggests the treatment is performed too often, The New York Times reported July 29.
The study, published July 29 in Pediatrics, looked at diagnosis for ankyloglossia, or "tongue-tie," in the U.S., Canada and England. Researchers began studying the procedure nine years ago after they noticed a significant uptick in parents asking for them to check if infants were tongue-tied.
More women struggling to breastfeed are asking dentists to sever the tissue under their baby's tongue in hopes of it helping with feeding. The procedure costs several hundred dollars and should be done in only a small fraction of infants, but some dentists and lactation consultants aggressively promote the surgery, the Times said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics said that in a small number of babies, the surgery can be helpful. However, the organization said there is no advantage to cutting the tissue with a medical laser, adding that pediatricians can use scissors with minimal side effects. The AAP cautioned against unnecessary procedures that are sometimes recommended in tandem with tongue-tie releases, such as snipping "cheek ties" and an extensive mouth-stretching routine.