Tag: Preschooler Oral Health Care

Does Tongue Tie Go Away?

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In the Know for You to Know

Mommy and Daddy Love That Now I Can Stick Out My Tongue
Mommy and Daddy Love That Now I Can Stick Out My Tongue

Tongue tie is a short muscle attachment under the tongue which may restrict tongue mobility and can cause potential difficulties for breastfeeding and speech.

In our last post we talked about recognizing tongue tie, and how the tie affects breast feeding and speech. Today we’re discussing Treatments for Tongue tie.

Some doctors may take a wait and see approach to evaluate if tongue tie goes away as in some milder cases. There are an increasing number of others who recommend prompt treatment to prevent ongoing feeding difficulties for an infant, or for an older child who has speech difficulties, dental problems, and social concerns. Most cases of tongue tie are treated as soon as they are diagnosed, and depending on the child’s age, it can be done either in the office or in the operating room.

Does Tongue Tie Go Away On Its Own?

Treating Tongue Tie

Tongue tie does not really go away on its own. Sometimes the tight tie may loosen slightly as the child’s mouth grows. For some as they get older they seek to accommodate to their limited tongue movement for chewing and speech. Nonetheless there are children who continue to experience difficulties with eating and speech.

Look How Far I Can Stick Out My Tongue
Sticking Out My Tongue Because Now I Can
This Is How Far I Can Stick Out My Tongue

Once a child has been examined and it’s decided that the best way to address the tie is to surgically alter the attachment, you may be referred to either an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) Physician, an Oral Surgeon, or a Pediatric Dentist.

Tongue tie can be corrected in one of two surgical ways:

Frenotomy

The doctor examines the frenum and then snips it free with sterile scissors. The procedure is quick and usually there is little blood. Most times local anesthetic isn’t used because discomfort is minimal due to there being few nerve endings and blood vessels in the frenum. After the procedure, you stay for a while in the office while the baby breastfeeds. In this circumstance, the breast milk is for pain relief and as an antiseptic.

Frenuloplasty

On examination if the frenum is too thick for a frenotomy, a frenuloplasty, may be recommended. This procedure uses general anesthesia and surgical tools to free the tongue from the thick band of tissue in the bottom of the mouth. When the frenum is free the wound is closed with stitches that dissolve on their own within a couple of weeks. The child will most likely not need to stay in the hospital overnight, and will likely go home the same day as the operation. As with all surgeries there are possible complications and can include bleeding, infection, scarring, or damage to the tongue or salivary gland.

Follow-Up Care

After the procedure a follow-up appointment is usually scheduled between 5 and 7 days to check on healing in the treated area.

Your pediatrician may refer you to a speech therapist depending on how your child’s speech was affected by the tongue tie to overcome any articulation and enunciation problems.

The doctor who performed the procedure or your pediatrician may give your child simple exercises to help improve the full motion of their tongue.

Do you know a Mom who is having trouble with painful breastfeeding? Have you seen a child who is unable to stick their tongue out all the way or move it from side to side? Do you know someone whose child doesn’t want ice cream because they can’t lick the cone? Do you know a child who doesn’t want to be in the school band because they can’t play the wind instrument they want? Newborns, babies and children, tweens and adolescents can have tongue tie. Let us know if you know a family whose child has (or had) tongue tie and what they are doing (or did) to address the tie.. Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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What Is Tongue Tie?

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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.

This Is How Far I Can Stick Out My Tongue
This Is How Far I Can Stick Out My Tongue

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

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!