What is a Tongue-Tie, Anyway?

Embarking on the journey of discovering a tongue-tie can be quite an adventure, often lingering undiagnosed for years—just like in my own experience. It was after realizing my own challenges related to a tongue-tie that I started noticing it more frequently in children dealing with speech and feeding difficulties.

Although Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can't formally diagnose it, they play a crucial role in guiding individuals toward specialized dentists or airway-focused Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists for an official diagnosis. It's interesting to note that many SLPs in schools might not have the training to spot tongue-ties, given the cutting-edge nature of research in this area.

A tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition present from birth that puts a limit on the tongue's range of motion. This occurs when a short, thick, or tight band of tissue (lingual frenum/frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Individuals with a tongue-tie may find it challenging to elevate their tongue, whether behind their front two top teeth or fully at the back. To understand the impact, a myofunctional evaluation can provide valuable insights.

In a regular tongue resting posture, creating a gentle suction to the roof of the mouth with slightly separated teeth supports proper dental alignment. However, a tongue-tie can throw a wrench in this process, leading to a narrow or high palate, misaligned teeth, and often resulting in overbites or crossbites. This can also impact nasal passages, contributing to breathing and sleep issues.

The tongue's connection to the body's fascia system means that a tongue-tie might contribute to broader issues like poor posture or a tight pelvic floor. Seeking myofascial release from specialized professionals can be a game-changer for addressing these concerns.

Even though children with tongue-ties may not show symptoms initially, complications can surface later, such as elongated facial structure, orthodontic problems, TMJ, and poor posture.

Breastfeeding, a beautiful bonding experience, can be impacted by a tongue-tie, turning it into a painful, around-the-clock activity. Additionally, a child's eating, speaking, and swallowing, especially sounds like /r, s, z, sh, ch, j/, can be influenced.

Understanding that there are various types of tongue-ties (Class 1, 2, 3, and submucosal), each requiring personalized care, is crucial. Specialized dentists or airway-focused ENT specialists can identify the type and recommend suitable interventions, often involving surgery or laser treatment to release the frenulum. Don't forget the importance of myofunctional therapy before and after these procedures—it's a key element in retraining the tongue muscles and preventing reattachment or scar tissue formation, ensuring a more effective and lasting solution. If you're on this journey, know that you're not alone, and seeking support can make all the difference.

Great sites from specialized dentists to check out for more info:

https://www.drghaheri.com/blog

https://www.enclavedental.com/frenectomy.html

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association:

https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/orofacial-myofunctional-disorders/#collapse_2