Tongue-Tie Treatment
What is a tongue tie?
Tongue-tie, professionally known as Ankyloglossia, is a congenital condition in which the lingual (tongue) frenum is restricted in its capacity to lift the tongue. This limited movement can cause difficulty with key functions including swallowing, eating, speech and breathing. It may even contribute to poor posture.
Patterns for swallowing, breathing and speech are established in infancy. The key function of the mouth in this formative period is breastfeeding. Restrictions involving the motion of the tongue and position of the lips (labial) and cheeks (buccal) can significantly impact life-long habits.
Collectively these frenal restrictions are called oral ties or oral restrictions.
WHAT ARE TONGUE-TIE TREATMENTS?
The treatment of oral ties is the removal of the restrictive frenal tissue (skin &/or fascia of the tongue, lip or cheek).
At Enhance, we use laser to remove cells layer by layer, enabling a thorough and functional release of ties and avoiding the damage and risks of scissors or scalpel.
SYMPTOMS AND IDENTIFICATION
Identifying tongue-tie symptoms in toddlers and children can be a challenging but crucial step in ensuring their optimal health and development.
In toddlers, signs of tongue-tie may include difficulty latching, feeding, or speaking, while in older children, symptoms may manifest as speech delays or difficulties, mouth breathing, or orthodontic issues.
By recognising the early warning signs and seeking professional support, you can help your child overcome any challenges and thrive.
To learn more about tongue-tie symptoms and treatment options specific to your child’s age group, click on either ‘Infants & Toddlers’ or ‘Children & Adults’ to access detailed information and guidance.
SYMPTOMS AND IDENTIFICATION
Some common signs of Infant Tongue/Lip tie include:
1
Poor latch/inability to latch
2
Sliding off the nipple
3
Fatigue/sleepiness during feeds
4
Irritability while feeding
5
Poor weight gain
6
Clicking during a feed
7
Dribbling milk at the breast/bottle
8
Digestive issues
(Such as increased gassiness, reflux, colic, vomiting, distended stomach)
9
Maternal nipple pain/damage
(Feels like the infant is compressing, chewing, gumming, pinching the nipple)
10
Increased occurrence of nipple/breast infections including mastitis
11
Compromised maternal milk supply
Results that last a lifetime
MORE INFORMATION
Causes
Typically, tongue function starts in utero and where formation is normal, it allows proper range of motion. With a tongue-tie, the formation of the lingual frenulum and its underlying fascia is irregular and limits the full range of motion. Why this happens is largely unknown, although some indications suggest tongue-tie is associated with genetic and epigenetic factors.
Risk factors
Although tongue-tie can affect anyone, it’s more common in boys than girls. Tongue-tie sometimes runs in families.
How do I know when to seek professional advice?
Your baby shows one or more of the signs described above (hyperlink) when breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
An infant feeding specialist – International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or toher health professional has identified that your baby’s ties need a diagnosis from a dental professional experienced with oral ties.
Your older child complains of tongue problems that interfere with eating, speaking or reaching the back teeth.
Your infant is having trouble with eating solids or has delayed onset of speech
Who is qualified to diagnose?
It depends! The majority of health practitioners have limited training and experience in this area. Some who pursue further education on oral ties are able to effectively diagnose them while others are able to readily identify them and refer to a skilled practitioner who can confirm a diagnosis.
Our dental practitioners are qualified and thoroughly experienced to diagnose ties in patients of all ages.
In most cases, the treating surgeon is the diagnostician for infants however Enhance is confident in the ability of its professional collaborators in identifying potential ties as part of a functional assessment.
We are happy to see you before or after you have seen your infant feeding expert.
IMPLICATIONS OF UNTREATED ORAL TIES
Tongue-tie and other oral ties may affect an infant’s oral development, as well as the way a child eats, speaks and swallows. For example, oral ties can sometimes lead to:
Breastfeeding problems
Breastfeeding requires an infant to keep the tongue over the lower gum while sucking. If unable to move the tongue or keep it in the right position, the infant might chew instead of suck on the nipple. This can cause significant nipple pain and interfere with a infant’s ability to get breast milk. The upper lip needs to flange up just enough to sustain the peripheral seal and maintain the latch.
Speech difficulties
Oral ties can interfere with the ability to make certain sounds. Tongue ties may affect pronunciation of “t,” “d,” “z,” “s,” “th,” “n” and “llip ties may interfere with “m”, “p” and “b”. Some children’s speech is muffled and unclear.
Challenges with other oral activities
Tongue-tie may interfere with activities such as licking an ice cream cone, licking the lips, kissing or playing a wind instrument. Untreated oral ties can affect other functions.
YOUR VISIT TO ENHANCE
Preparing for your appointment
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Enhance Myofunction for your consultation.
To make your visit as smooth as possible, we send you all the necessary information ahead of time so that you have a chance to be familiar with all our processes and can bring any questions you wish to ask.
Remember, our team is here to support you ahead of, during and after your appointment. We’re committed to providing the best care for your little one and ensuring you feel informed and comfortable throughout the process.