Tongue tie is an issue that affects a lot of newborns. Thus, this by all means is an important topic and you must know about it in every form. Whether tongue tie is a crucial issue or not, all of it will be touched on in this blog.
Thus, get started with knowing all about tongue tie. Know how it affects newborns and how can one heal tongue tie. Therefore, read this blog thoroughly and start by knowing right from the basics consisting of what is tongue tie.
About
Tongue tie or lip tie which is also known as ankyloglossia, is known to be a condition where the thin piece of tissue which is the lingual frenulum connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
This is unusually short, tight, or thick and it can restrict the movement of the baby’s tongues. A normal one can go on, leading to various functional problems. This can occur especially in newborns, infants, and young children.
Symptoms – Tongue Tie
Below are some symptoms of the lip tie. Therefore, get started by knowing all of the symptoms that can affect people when they suffer:
Infants
- Difficulty breastfeeding: Babies may have a lot of trouble latching onto the breast properly. This can ultimately lead to poor feeding, painful nursing for the mother, or failure to gain weight.
- Gumming or clicking sounds while nursing.
- Fatigue or frustration during breastfeeding.
- Difficulty moving the tongue to the roof of the mouth or side to side.
Older Children and Adult
- Tongue tie can cause difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. This can include words like “t,” “d,” “l,” and “r”. It can also bring in slurring.
- These ties can cause a lot of trouble, especially difficulty in sweeping food particles from the teeth with the tongue.
- The tongue may have a heart-shaped appearance or be unable to move freely during eating or speaking if it is tied.
- Problems with kissing, licking lips, or performing other oral tasks that require tongue mobility.
- In severe cases, it may cause jaw or dental issues over time.
Causes of Tongue Tie
Tongue tie is defined to be a congenital condition. This, on a large scale, means that it is present in an individual from birth itself. The cause of these ties is not fully understood. However, these ties may result from developmental variations that occur during foetal development. In it, the frenulum might not have fully stretched or separated from the tongue as it should.
Doctors do not know what causes these ties and mostly, the frenulum to form differently in a child with these ties. The condition of tongue tie is known to sometimes run in a lot of families and is known to be more common in boys than girls.
Diagnosis – Tongue Tie
Tongue tie is known to be typically diagnosed through a physical exam by a pediatrician. It can also be given by a dentist or speech-language pathologist. They may thoroughly assess how the tongue moves.
Along with it, they can also analyze the length and thickness of the frenulum, and whether it affects oral function. In some cases, ultrasound or other imaging techniques might also be used to recognize these ties.
Treatment – Tongue Tie
Every single case of these ties does not require treatment. This is because for mild cases, the condition may not cause any significant issues, and thus, no intervention may be necessary. However, in more severe cases where tongue movement is significantly restricted in a large form, or if it causes feeding, speech, or dental problems, various treatment options may be included. This is given down:
Frenotomy
It is a simple surgical procedure where the frenulum is clipped or snipped to release the tongue. This is good as it allows for better movement. It is usually a quick, low-risk procedure often performed by a pediatrician or ENT specialist. This is typically done in infants.
Frenuloplasty
For more severe cases, a frenuloplasty is known to be a more extensive surgical procedure that involves cutting and stitching the frenulum to increase the range of motion. This may be performed under general anesthesia, especially in older children or adults.
Speech therapy or feeding therapy
After treatment, a child may need speech or feeding therapy to help with proper tongue movement and improve speech and eating abilities.
Complications of Tongue Tie
If a lip tie is left untreated in severe cases, then lip or these ties can lead to:
- Ongoing feeding difficulties in infancy (poor weight gain, dehydration).
- Speech delays or articulation problems.
- Dental issues, including tooth decay or gum problems due to difficulty cleaning the teeth with the tongue.
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing food properly.
When to Seek Help for Tongue Tie?
If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie, or if have begun to notice a lot of feeding difficulties or speech issues as your child grows, then it is important to talk to a healthcare provider. This will be good as early diagnosis and treatment can often resolve many of the functional problems associated with these ties.
Conclusion
Thus, this is all you should know about tongue tie. Therefore, if you see that you are having a tongue tie or anybody, you know is having that, then consult a doctor immediately. This will lead you to stay away from the effects of tongue tie. Remember that a fast treatment of tongue tie can get it healed properly.
FAQs
1. What is a tongue tie?
Ans: A tongue tie is medically known as ankyloglossia. It is a condition where the tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the frenulum) is unusually short or tight. This restricts the tongue’s range of motion, making it difficult to lift or move the tongue properly.
2. How do you know if someone has tongue ties?
Ans: Signs of these ties can vary, but common symptoms include:
- Difficulty lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth
- Trouble sticking the tongue out past the lower teeth
- A heart-shaped appearance of the tongue when extended
- Difficulty moving the tongue from side to side
- In infants, difficulty latching during breastfeeding or prolonged feeding times
- Speech problems, particularly with particular sounds, in older children or adults
3. What causes a tongue tie?
Ans: The exact cause of these ties is not fully understood. This is because it is typically a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. Sometimes, a tight frenulum may be inherited, and a family history of tongue ties can increase the likelihood of a child being born with one.
4. Can tongue ties affect breastfeeding?
Ans: Yes, these ties can significantly affect breastfeeding. This is because in this condition the tongue cannot move freely, thus making it harder for an infant to latch correctly. It also leads to poor feeding, prolonged nursing sessions, nipple pain for the mother, or insufficient weight gain in the baby.
5. Can adults have tongue ties?
Ans: Although these ties are often identified in infancy or early childhood, they can sometimes go unnoticed into adulthood. In these cases, the condition may manifest as difficulty with speech, swallowing, or even oral hygiene since a restricted tongue may prevent proper tooth cleaning.
6. How are tongue ties diagnosed?
Ans: A healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, lactation consultant, or dentist, can diagnose these ties by performing a physical examination. They may also use a functional assessment to determine how the tongue moves. Diagnosis is often straightforward based on visible signs, but further evaluation by a specialist may be necessary in more complex cases.
7. What are the treatment options for tongue ties?
Ans: Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the individual’s age. Treatment might not always be necessary in infants unless feeding problems are present. In more severe cases, or when speech and movement are affected, treatment options include:
- Frenotomy (Tongue Tie Release): A quick procedure where the frenulum is clipped or snipped to release the tongue. This is typically done without anesthesia for infants, though older children or adults may require local anesthesia.
- Frenuloplasty: A more involved procedure that involves suturing the frenulum if it is particularly thick or rigid. This is generally used for older children or adults who require a more extensive release.
- Speech Therapy: Following treatment, speech therapy may help individuals learn how to use their tongue more effectively for proper speech articulation.
- Breastfeeding Support: If a baby’s tongue tie affects breastfeeding, a lactation consultant can offer guidance on improving latch techniques, even before any surgical intervention.
8. Are there risks to treating tongue ties?
Ans: The risks of tongue tie release are minimal but may include mild bleeding, infection, or frenulum tear. However, complications are rare, especially when a skilled healthcare provider performs the procedure. After the procedure, a baby may experience some discomfort or fussiness, but this typically resolves quickly.
