CTOM Response to the New York Times Tongue-Tie Article

Any surgery should begin with careful consideration and a collaborative approach from a multi-disciplinary team. When it comes to tethered oral tissue releases, our main concern is FUNCTION. I do not see babies personally. However, I do see the children and adults whose tongue ties have been missed and function related to feeding, sleep, breathing, speech, and growth and development of the craniofacial respiratory complex poorly impacted.

This article did not account for the thousands of lives whose trajectory has changed because their tongue-tie has been diagnosed and successfully treated and managed by the appropriate collaborative team. This article failed to mention the babies who have been able to avoid tube feeding because of their TOTs release. This article failed to mention the mothers who have been able to successfully accomplish their breastfeeding goals because their baby now has the functional ability to feed correctly without compensation or pain to the mother. This article also failed to mention the research provided by highly regarded providers like Dr. Siegel and Dr. Zaghi.

What this article did do is create fear, confusion, and a divide between communities that need to pull together now more than ever. This article also slandered providers who are truly making a difference in so many lives each and every day. My hope is that these rebuttals get back to the authors of this article and they too can see the one sided picture they have captured. My hope is that families continue to follow their gut instincts and connect with providers who are willing to give them the time and attention they deserve, the education to be able to make an informed decision for their family.

As a myofunctional therapist, I can confidently say that I take pride in being on a collaborative team that helps those with tethered oral tissues. The outcomes I see in our patients and families continue to be positive as these patients are prepped pre-operatively and receive appropriate postoperative care to ensure optimal wound healing and muscle re-education. I can acknowledge that I am one small piece to the puzzle and stress the importance of collaborative care, that is why millions of patients are successful in their TOTs procedures. 

I am saddened by this article, but am ready to continue spreading awareness and education to our communities so that families can not only receive the care they need, but feel comfortable and confident in their decision-making.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/health/tongue-tie-release-breastfeeding.html