What Is Tongue Tie?

In the Know for You to Know

Tongue tie is when there is a short muscle attachment under the tongue which may restrict tongue tip mobility and tongue movement. This limitation in motion can cause potential difficulties for breastfeeding and speech.

A tongue tie is something a baby is born with and can be seen in newborns, infants, children, and even adults. Pediatricians and lactation consultants are often the first to notice the tie, and maybe even before a parent.

What Is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie is also called ankyloglossia. During pregnancy as the baby develops, the connection between the under surface of the tongue and the bottom of the mouth is too tight or too short. When the baby is born this reduces the tongue’s range of motion.

How Do I Know What Tongue Tie Looks Like?

Even though every ones tongue’s look slightly different there are a couple of ways to tell if your child has tongue tie.

The most classic appearance is if there is a small strip of what looks like gum tissue extending from the tip of the tongue to the lower jaw’s front gum area and their tongue looks heart shaped. The heart shape is more evident especially when they move their tongue or try to stick out their tongue.

Another appearance is when the attachment is behind the tip further down on the tongue and also limits tongue movement.

A third type of appearance is when the attachment is thick or stiff and is located in the middle of the underside of the tongue extending to the bottom of the mouth.

The fourth type is when you may not see the attachment, but when touching under the tongue gently with fingertips, it feels tight and the bottom of the mouth may or may not be shiny.

How Can I Tell If My Child Has Tongue Tie?

Do you know a child who can’t lick an ice cream cone or stick out their tongue as far as their friends? This child has tongue tie.

Parents typically notice their baby may be tongue tied while breastfeeding, or trying to breast feed. Babies may have trouble latching on and rather than sucking they compress Mom’s breast causing pain, or they may need long feeding times.

Sometimes Mom and Dad may notice that their child can’t move their tongue from side to side, touch the top of their mouth with their tongue, or stick their tongue out past their front teeth.

Can Tongue Tie Affect Speech?

Tongue tie does not prevent or delay the onset on speech. It may interfere with the articulation and clarity of speech.

There are certain letters and sounds we use our tongues to help us pronounce. They are: D, F, L, R, S, Sp, T, Th, and Z.

These letters and sounds need a specific amount of tongue movement to be pronounced and to be heard clearly. Otherwise it may sound like the child is mumbling.

It’s also important to know that not every child who has a tongue tie has struggles with speech.

Spoiler Alert — Check back next week for our post on Treatments for Tongue Tie.

Do you know a child with tongue tie? Or maybe you know an adult who has tongue tie? What was done (or they wish was done) to help with the tongue tie? We’d really like to know! Send us an e-mail at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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