Tongue Tie

Ankyloglossia is a fancy term for “tongue tie”. When a child or adult has a tongue tie, they have short, tight bands of tissue that restrict the tongue’s range of motion. What’s the big deal? Well, a tongue tie can present many complications that can affect one’s health and wellness. If the tongue is unable to function appropriately due to the restriction, growth and development of the stomatognathic system is compromised. 

Symptoms and Complications

• Heart-shaped tongue tip

• Reduced mobility of the tongue

• May experience difficulty breastfeeding

• Poor dental hygiene

• Restricted growth and development of the upper and lower jaw

• High, narrow palate resulting in limited airway space which may constrict the nasal cavity

• Orthodontic relapse, malocclusion, or bruxism (e.g., teeth grinding)

• Messy and/or picky eating

• Mouth breathing

• Headaches and muscle tension

• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

• Snoring or sleep apnea

• Difficulty swallowing liquids or solids appropriately

• Speech sound distortions

• Effects on posture

• Social difficulties (e.g., self-esteem)

Treatment

If a tongue-tie is suspected, a referral to an ENT or specialized dentist may be recommended to confirm or rule-out the diagnosis. The degree of severity of the tongue-tie differs between individuals as well as the effect that it may have on the individual. If you and your doctor believe that it is negatively impacting feeding, swallowing, speech, or your quality of life, a frenectomy procedure may be recommended. Please speak to your doctor or myofunctional therapist about completing pre- and post-operative exercises to obtain the most optimal results. In addition to pre- and post-operative exercises, a myofunctional therapy program may be recommended to correct improper function of the tongue and establish an appropriate rest posture.

Research

It should be noted that doctors, dentists, and therapists have varying beliefs about the effects of ankyloglossia on feeding and speech production. There is conflicting research in the areas of scientific perspective and anecdotal data. We cannot draw concrete conclusions regarding a correlation between tongue ties and speech sound distortions since the research is inconsistent. Parents often receive different opinions regarding the proper steps to take which makes it difficult for them to determine what’s the best plan of action for their child. Ultimately, it is recommended that you see a specialist and examine the severity of impact to make an informed decision.

With Love,

RM Studio