San Francisco and Marin CA
Tongue ties are common at birth. Some babies are born with a lingual frenulum (the small piece of tissue attaching the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) that’s too tight or short. This often restricts full movement of the tongue, and it’s often referred to as a tongue tie. Some tongue ties are more severe than others, but none should be ignored. Today our San Francisco pediatric dentist explains how tongue ties can hinder a baby’s breastfeeding and speech development … and ways we can help.
Symptoms of tongue-ties
Tongue ties are usually diagnosed by observing symptoms.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common symptoms of tongue tie so you’ll know what to look for in your infant:
- Baby has trouble latching during breastfeeding, is colicky, fails to thrive or suffers from reflux issues.
- A nursing mother has low milk supply, sore or tender breasts and mastitis or breast infections from plugged ducts.
- As a child grows, s/he may have speech impediments, difficulty concentrating or attention issues, narrow airways, inhibited jaw growth and/or dental alignment issues.
- Children with tongue-ties can be picky eaters or seem ill-mannered because they chew with their mouths open, showing their food.
- Kids may mispronounce certain words or letter sounds — especially the sound of s and z — or have severely misaligned jaws that cause their upper teeth to be positioned too far forward.
Left untreated, kids with tongue ties grow into adults that may exhibit mouth breathing, sleep apnea and severe daytime fatigue. Sleep apnea leads to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease due to a lack of proper airflow and poor sleep quality. This leads to chronic systemic inflammation, a precursor to these common diseases in adults. Adults with a lifelong tongue tie may also develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and chronic migraines.
Dental problems related to tongue-ties
The limited mobility of the tongue with a tie may contribute to issues such as difficulty cleaning the teeth and gums effectively, potentially leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Tongue ties can also cause people to struggle to maintain optimal oral hygiene because it’s difficult for the tongue to reach all areas of the mouth.
Beyond dental implications, tongue ties can also cause psychological distress, particularly if they contribute to speech difficulties or make people self-conscious about their appearance or ability to communicate effectively.
What are some solutions for tongue ties?
Look no further than our experienced Marin tongue-tie dentist for treatment options.
Our recommendations for treatment depend on the severity of the case, but here are our most commonly used procedures:
- Frenotomy — Also known as a “tongue-tie release,” a frenotomy is a simple and relatively quick procedure that involves cutting the lingual frenulum to release the tongue tie. This procedure is often performed in infants and can lead to immediate improvement in feeding and other symptoms.
- Myofunctional therapy — For individuals with tongue ties who experience speech difficulties, we may recommend myofunctional therapy — basically physical therapy for the tongue and mouth — to help improve articulation and language skills.
Tongue-tie treatment in the Bay Area
Tongue ties are common, but they present significant challenges for the people born with them. Fortunately, we have solutions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our experienced Bay Area cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental at (415) 799-3900 or reach us online today.
