This awareness is crucial given its impact on breastfeeding, speech, and associated health issues. Tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that affects babies, children, and even adults by limiting tongue movement and function. This can lead to significant breastfeeding difficulties, affecting the ability of mothers to nurse effectively. But despite its increasing awareness, many myths and misconceptions about tongue tie, from diagnosis to treatment, persist.
This article offers guidance to better understand what baby tongue tie is, when the condition requires treatment, and helps clarify the facts vs. fiction.
What Is A Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the tissue band under the tongue, known as the lingual frenulum, is too short, tight, or thick, hindering tongue mobility. This limitation of tongue movement can cause feeding challenges for infants, including swallowing and breath control.
- Breastfeeding
- Speech
- Oral hygiene
- Dental development
Infants and children may experience breastfeeding difficulties which can lead to symptoms of tongue tie, requiring evaluation for proper management. Symptoms often appear early, so recognizing tongue-tie in babies’ symptoms is crucial for timely treatment.
Tongue Tie Symptoms
Symptoms of tongue tie can manifest early, particularly in infants and children, leading to breastfeeding challenges if not identified. It’s important to review a baby’s symptoms comprehensively. Detecting tongue tie symptoms, like limited tongue mobility in newborns, requires keen observation to differentiate from normal variations. Common signs include breastfeeding difficulties such as an inadequate latch, prolonged feeding times, and low weight gain. Parents might not notice a baby’s tongue mobility limitation, causing persistent feeding issues. For help, consulting a lactation consultant or healthcare professional is advised for further investigation. A lactation consultant or healthcare professional should assess these concerns early to determine necessary interventions. Audible hiccups, gas, or clicking during feeding may indicate an issue related to tongue mobility. Early professional assessment is key to addressing and alleviating any feeding issues.
Myth 1: Tongue Tie Only Affects Breastfeeding
Fact: Tongue tie affects more than just feeding; it can impact speech development, mouth posture, food consumption, and overall health. In older children and adults, this condition can impact breath control, swallowing, and jaw tension, which may lead to serious oral health issues.
Myth 2: You Can Tell Just by Looking
Fact: Not all ties are visible. Some infants appear normal, but struggle functionally, highlighting the importance of assessing both anatomical and functional symptoms. This is why comprehensive anatomical and functional assessments must be conducted to understand the issues in tongue-tied and non-tongue-tied individuals. A thorough study of symptoms and structural aspects of tongue function is recommended for accurate diagnosis. A baby may look fine but have limited tongue movement, resulting in feeding issues such as gas, clicking during feeds, or poor weight gain. This limited movement can lead to a myriad of issues for both infants and mothers.
Related: Can a tongue tie cause gas? Yes—poor latch often leads to excessive air swallowing, which can cause dry mouth and other issues. Yes—poor latch often leads to excessive air swallowing, which can cause dry mouth, including symptoms such as dry lips.
Myth 3: All Ties Must Be Clipped
Fact: Not always. In fact, it’s critical to notice how each child’s symptoms vary. Other children with ankyloglossia benefit from treatments such as myofunctional therapy or exercises targeting the floor of the mouth first. Other children also benefit from ankyloglossia treatments, including myofunctional therapy or specific exercises.
Myth 4: Clipping the Tie Is Risk-Free
Fact: While tongue tie clipping (frenotomy) is a quick procedure, it’s not without risks. Disadvantages of clipping tongue-tie can include:
- Incomplete release
- Reattachment without proper aftercare
- Oral aversion or discomfort in some cases
That’s why follow-up care—including tongue tie stretches and seeking professional assistance—is essential to maintain results.
Myth 5: Tongue Tie Doesn’t Affect Bottle-Fed Babies
Fact: Even bottle-fed babies may face challenges like inefficient sucking or reflux due to restricted tongue movement. Parents of bottle-fed babies should also monitor for signs of restricted tongue movement.
Myth 6: Tongue Tie Always Affects Speech
Fact: Not all cases lead to speech delay, but some do—especially if the tongue can’t lift or make contact with the roof of the mouth. Early treatment helps reduce this risk. Adults experiencing symptoms related to ankyloglossia may face ongoing challenges affecting overall health if untreated.
Myth 7: Treatment Isn’t Needed Unless There’s Pain
Fact: Babies can’t always express discomfort, but signs such as fussiness, shallow latching, or refusal to eat may signal a problem. And in adults, symptoms of ankyloglossia may include TMJ issues, dry mouth, and snoring, highlighting the need for tailored treatment.
Myth 8: Once It’s Released, You’re Done
Fact: Not quite. The success of treatment often hinges on meticulous aftercare. Success often depends on post-release care, including tongue mobility exercises and sometimes therapy. These help prevent reattachment and restore full function. In certain cases, a frenuloplasty may be recommended for effective management of tongue movement and reducing symptoms of tongue tie.
Talk to Your Pediatric Professional
Healthcare providers may not fully understand the intricacies of ankyloglossia due to varying levels of expertise, impacting treatment efficacy. Not all healthcare providers excel in diagnosing or treating baby tongue tie in infants. However, a pediatrician or lactation consultant might miss subtle signs if not specialized, affecting breastfeeding outcomes. Parents should seek comprehensive evaluations and multiple opinions, particularly concerning breastfeeding difficulties. Treatment options include observation, or surgical procedures like frenotomy, with tongue mobility exercises essential to prevent reattachment and manage ankyloglossia effectively. Regular follow-ups ensure the baby’s overall health, addressing any developmental concerns promptly.
Long Term Effects of Tongue Mobility
Limited tongue mobility may lead to speech difficulties, improper mouth posture, and even tension in the neck and jaw, potentially causing issues in dental alignment. Limited tongue mobility may lead to speech issues, poor oral posture, and jaw tension, potentially creating dental alignment issues as children grow. This can affect a child’s development over time, impacting both their dental and oral health. Consulting dental professionals who understand ankyloglossia and role of the frenulum is essential for assessing these long-term impacts. Factors such as the tightness or thickness of the lingual frenulum can both affect an individual’s ability to swallow and speak effectively. Addressing concerns early promotes optimal oral health and better developmental outcomes, especially in patients affected by ankyloglossia tongue tie.
Final Thoughts
Understanding tongue tie and separating myths from facts enables families to make informed healthcare decisions to improve outcomes. Whether dealing with ankyloglossia in newborns, toddlers, or adults, thorough evaluations and tailored care plans are keys to success, improving patient healthcare outcomes and tongue mobility function. This promotes effective management of potential complications, securing the well-being of infants with tongue tie issues.
If unsure about whether your child has tongue tie or need guidance on ankyloglossia treatments, contact Milltown Dental to schedule a consultation.