I am writing to take issue with Dr. Wisotsky’s response (“All Tied Up,” January 14, 2021) to Sipporah Tracer’s article regarding tethered oral tissues (TOTs or tongue ties) (“All Tied Up: Unraveling the Complexities of Tongue Tie,” January 7, 2021). Wisotsky’s tone reflected the “consternation” he felt towards the topic and those parents who choose to treat a child’s tongue tie. His approach felt like scaremongering and dismissive—the last things a mother needs to hear when she is struggling with a child’s medical needs.

I know, because I am that mother. And no, being the mother of a child with TOT does not “color [my] perception,” and I fully acknowledge that a majority of babies do not necessarily suffer from tongue ties. But for the babies who do, and require intervention, I really hope those babies receive the care they need.

My daughter (now two years old) was born with a tongue tie that required three laser attempts, as well as months of oral motor therapy, to enable her to eat and grow so that she could surpass her “failure to thrive.” For her, and even other babies who may have less extreme needs, the procedure is beneficial beyond belief, and poses very, very few risks.

Followup after the procedure with a lactation consultant or speech therapist trained in TOT is crucial, so that the child can relearn how to use the mouth and tongue, and oral motor activity. There are some great resources and specialists in the field, but unfortunately, many people (even doctors) are not knowledgeable about these topics and the nuance of how TOTs affect various issues down the road.

I encourage any parent who feels that there is something about their child that might require intervention to perform their own due diligence and research and advocate for their health and wellbeing.