Tongue-Tie Troubles

Tongue-Tie, or Ankyloglossia, is a congenital condition where a short tissue band, known as the Lingual Frenulum, connects the tongue's tip to the mouth's floor.

This can restrict tongue movement and affect your child's ability to breast-feed, eat, and speak properly. It is not something you can grow out of.

How does it appear?

• Inability to protrude the tongue beyond the lips.

• Difficulty touching the tongue tip to the roof of the mouth.

• Restricted lateral movement of the tongue towards the side of the mouth.

• When extended, the tongue tip looks flat or square rather than pointed.

• The tip of the tongue appears notched or heart-shaped.

• A space between the front teeth of the lower jaw.

What is the resulting effect?

• Speech Production: It influences sounds where the tongue or its tip needs to contact the roof of the mouth, such as t, d, n, l, s, z. It also impacts sounds that require the tongue to arch, like r.

• Feeding: The child might struggle with latching and sucking. Problems such as gas, slow feeding, and reflux can also be associated with tongue-tie.

Action Taken

• Performing a tongue-tie release (frenotomy), often using laser surgery, can avert numerous future problems, including speech difficulties, breastfeeding challenges, dental hygiene issues, and social obstacles.

• It is preferable to release it immediately after birth or within the first few months.