Tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is when children are born with excessive tissue between the bottom of their tongue and mouth. This thick, short tissue can restrict the full movement of their tongue and make it difficult for them to eat and breathe easily.
As children grow older, tongue ties can degrade gum health in which case you need to see your dentist Marlborough if in that area and they can create speech impediments. However, not all tongue ties are serious and many children adapt to them successfully. Surgery is a good option for babies who are struggling to breastfeed. Here are seven things to know if your baby has a tongue-tie.
- It’s Relatively Common
According to research from 2007, between 4% and 10% of babies were born with some form of tongue-tie. This tissue is part of the natural development process and usually separates while children are still in the womb. However, both tongue and lip ties are common in newborns.
Ties vary in range and tightness. The thicker and closer they are to the tip of the tongue, the harder it is for babies to nurse and even breathe. Children with tongue-ties don’t like laying on their backs because it’s hard for them to keep their airway clear.
- It Can Impact Nutrition
One of the most serious effects of tongue-tie is how it can limit a newborn’s access to nutrition. When children breastfeed, they place their tongues on the roof of their mouths and create suction that draws milk. Tongue-ties often make it difficult to get good suction because the tongue has reduced mobility.
Breastfeeding is acknowledged by health organizations as the most valuable thing you can do for your baby’s health and future success. Apart from vitamin D, it perfectly meets the needs of your child and helps to build their immune system, intelligence and even resistance to some childhood cancers.
- It Can Be Painful
When babies have trouble latching on, they may chew the breast instead in an attempt to get more milk. This can cause a lot of pain for moms, damaging their nipples and making breastfeeding a harrowing experience for both moms and babies.
If children have a pronounced tongue or lip-tie, they can also experience blistering because their lip is turned under. They may swallow excess air during breastfeeding, which means uncomfortable gas later. If this is happening to your baby, you’ll hear a clicking noise during breastfeeding. Many children with tongue-ties also suffer from reflux and colic.
- There Are Treatment Options
Some research suggests that tongue-ties self-correct over time. Although this can help children avoid problems later in life, it may still affect their ability to nurse and get the best nutrition as an infant. Thankfully, there are several treatment options available for babies with tongue-tie.
Parents can consider scheduling a frenectomy, a laser surgery where the tongue-tie is cut. In infants, this surgery isn’t painful and heals quickly. Babies will quickly adapt to their new mobility and breastfeeding can improve. You can also perform frenectomies on toddlers and older adults.
- It Can Hurt Gums
One of the primary functions of the tongue is to sweep food away from your teeth and help you eat. Adults with reduced tongue mobility can struggle to keep their gums clean of excess food, leading to poor gum health. You may notice that toddlers with tongue and lip ties have dirty teeth even though you’re brushing them regularly.
Poor oral health plays a role in other health conditions over time. It can lead to inflammation throughout your body, reducing your ability to fight off disease. Poor gum health is also connected to diabetes and managing healthy levels of insulin in your body. If left untreated, some tongue-ties can cause long-term problems.
- It Can Affect Speech
Toddlers with severe tongue-ties may have trouble making certain sounds properly. For example, the noises “d,” “t,” and “r” all require you to move your tongue to the front top of your mouth. If your child is having trouble with these sounds, take them to see a speech therapist and pediatric dentist to assess the issue.
Sometimes, speech impediments can be overcome by retraining the tongue and other muscles in the mouth and jaw. However, there’s a possibility that revising tongue-tie could help as well. You should speak with a doctor to decide when and if to schedule a frenectomy.
- It Can Reduce Confidence
Left untreated, speech impediments can reduce confidence in older children. They may want to change their speech but be physically unable to do so. At school, having a tongue-tie can also make you a primary target for bullies and social isolation.
Adults with tongue-ties may also have trouble kissing, which could impact their confidence in pursuing romantic relationships. A speech impediment will only make this situation worse. If you’re struggling with a tongue-tie as an adult, you can talk to your doctor about the potential for surgery. Frenectomies can cost anywhere between $850 and $8,000.
Does Your Child Have Tongue-Tie?
If your baby has a tongue-tie, they’ll probably have trouble breastfeeding. The experience may be painful and your baby may make clicking sounds because they’re gulping air as well as milk. Because breast milk is so important for nutrition, your lactation consultant may recommend getting a frenectomy.
However, many tongue-ties resolve as children grow. If your child begins to have trouble with oral health or has difficulty making certain sounds, you should talk with a speech therapist and pediatric dentist about whether they have tongue-tie. Thankfully, this issue is easily corrected.