It used to be that the subject of tongue ties wasn’t something that was discussed much. If an infant didn’t have problems with breastfeeding and a toddler or child didn’t have issues with speech, then it wasn’t really on anyone’s radar. But now we are discovering that tongue ties are not quite as “black and white” as we used to think. We are discovering different “grades” of lingual restriction and a wide range of dysfunctions that can be associated with them.
Modern medicine and dentistry are finding that the problems associated with tongue ties can affect both children and adults of all ages and releasing a tongue tie is now an integral part of achieving optimal oral and dental health.
So, what is a tongue tie anyway? A tongue tie is also known as a restricted lingual frenum or a tethered oral tissue (TOT). The frenum is a band of tissue under the tongue – we all have one. It connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some people, however, the frenum is too tight or too short and it can actually restrict the movement of the tongue as well as prevent it from resting in the correct place. Lips and cheeks can also be tied as well.
Why does this matter? Your tongue should fill up the entire roof of your mouth. When it does, it provides an internal support structure for the upper jaw. If your tongue is in the right place, your teeth will grow in straighter and your face will develop properly. A tongue tie keeps your tongue in the bottom or your mouth. People who are tongue tied often mouth breathe, so they experience a variety of myofunctional problems and symptoms. Chronic jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, and clenching and grinding, along with dental and orthodontic issues are common in people with tongue ties. Studies show that children who are tongue tied are more likely to develop sleep apnea and airway issues.
What can be done? Most often, a tongue tie must be treated surgically. The procedure is called a frenectomy. It is a simple and fast procedure. We offer this procedure here at my practice in Tupelo, MS. We have the latest technology utilizing the LightScalpel® LS-1005 Laser System. It is critical to begin therapy exercises before the procedure. Our Myofunctional Therapist, Mikenlee Stephens-Smith, RDH and I will work together to create an individualized treatment plan for optimal success.
We will also guide you through wound care after the procedure. If the wound is not managed properly, it is possible that the tongue will reattach back the way it was before the frenectomy. The tongue and oral muscles will need to be retrained and strengthened after the frenum is released. Think of it just like any other surgery where rehabilitation is required. The muscles in the tongue have never learned to move or rest properly so in this case, myofunctional therapy is just like physical therapy, only for the mouth.
I have had the privilege of serving numerous infant patients with tremendous success. Check out these three highlighted success stories for Baby Riley, Baby Alice, and Baby Maverick:
https://rhtdmd.com/testimonials/
Please reach out for help. Call me at (662) 842-8514 today to schedule an appointment for a consultation or learn more about our Myofunctional Therapy & Tongue Tie services.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Thornton, DMD
