Tongue Ties in Children: Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

● Limited Tongue Movement: If you notice that your child is unable to lift their tongue to the roof of their mouth or move it from side to side, this could indicate a tongue tie.

● Speech Problems: As children grow older, tongue ties may affect their ability to articulate certain sounds, particularly those that require tongue movement, such as “l,” “r,” “t,” “d,” and “th” sounds.

● Poor Oral Hygiene: Since a tongue tie restricts tongue movement, it can also make it difficult for children to clean food from their teeth, leading to an increased risk of cavities and gum problems.

● Heart-shaped Tongue Tip: In some cases, children with tongue ties may display a heart-shaped tip of the tongue when they try to stick it out. This is because the tight frenulum pulls the centre of the tongue inward.

How Tongue Tie is Diagnosed

Diagnosing tongue ties is not always straightforward. Finding the right person can be challenging. If you suspect your child has a tongue tie, find a trained healthcare professional who is knowledgeable and can perform a physical examination of the mouth. This includes checking the frenulum and assessing the range of motion of the tongue, lip, and cheeks. During the examination, you will be asked about feeding difficulties, speech issues, and any other symptoms your child might be experiencing. In some cases, additional evaluations by a speech therapist, lactation consultant or osteopath may be recommended to determine the extent of the issue.

Tools for Diagnosing Tongue Tie

● Hazel baker Assessment Tool: This is often used to check the tongue and frenulum to diagnose tongue tie.

● Speech and Feeding Evaluations: If your child is older, a speech therapist might assess how the tongue tie is affecting speech or eating, which can be crucial in deciding the best treatment approach.

Treatment Options for Tongue Tie

Treatment for tongue tie depends on the severity of the condition and how much it affects the child’s daily life. Fortunately, there are several options available, ranging from simple monitoring to surgical intervention.

Monitoring and Stretching Exercises

In mild cases of tongue tie, treatment may not be immediately necessary. Some children grow out of the condition as the frenulum stretches naturally over time. In these situations, your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring and tongue exercises to encourage better movement. Gentle stretching exercises can help lengthen the frenulum and improve mobility.

Frenotomy

A frenotomy is a fast and simple procedure where the frenulum is lasered to free the tongue. This procedure can be done for infants in our doctor’s office with minimal discomfort. It usually takes just a few minutes, and most babies can breastfeed immediately after the procedure. The benefits of a frenotomy include improved breastfeeding, easier tongue movement, and better speech development as the child grows.

Advantages of Frenotomy:

●Quick and Painless: Frenotomy is often performed without anaesthesia for infants, as the procedure causes minimal pain and heals quickly due to the analgesia effects offered from the Waterlase Laser.
●Improved Feeding: Babies with tongue tie often experience immediate improvement in breastfeeding after the procedure.
●Reduced Risk of Speech Problems: By improving tongue mobility early on, frenotomy can help prevent future speech issues.

Post-Treatment Care

After either procedure, it’s important to follow proper post-treatment care to ensure healing and avoid complications. This includes:
●Performing prescribed tongue exercises to improve mobility.
●Monitoring the area for signs of infection or reattachment.
●Continuing to visit your dentist or referring practitioner for follow-up to ensure the frenulum is healing properly. 

How Tongue Tie Affects Long-Term Development

Untreated tongue tie can have a long-term impact on a child’s oral health and development. From speech delays to poor dental hygiene, the complications of tongue tie can sometimes go unnoticed until the child reaches school age. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Addressing tongue ties early can help avoid challenges with eating, speaking, and dental health as your child grows.

Treatment Options for Tongue Tie

Treatment for tongue tie depends on the severity of the condition and how much it affects the child’s daily life. Fortunately, there are several options available, ranging from simple monitoring to surgical intervention.

Impact on Speech and Feeding

Children with untreated tongue tie may struggle to pronounce certain sounds clearly, leading to speech delays. These children may also experience difficulty eating certain foods, as they are unable to move their tongue efficiently to help with chewing and swallowing.

Oral Health Issues

Over time, restricted tongue movement can contribute to poor oral hygiene. Children with tongue ties often struggle to clean their teeth well, which raises the chance of cavities and gum disease. They may also be more prone to developing a misaligned bite or other orthodontic issues.

Social and Emotional Development

In some cases, tongue ties can affect a child’s social and emotional development. Speech problems may lead to frustration, anxiety, or embarrassment, particularly when interacting with peers. Addressing the tongue tie early on can help children build confidence in their communication skills.

How First Choice Dental Can Help with Tongue Restrictions

At First Choice Dental, we offer a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating tongue ties in children. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to ensuring the best care for your child, with a focus on comfort, safety, and effective outcomes.

Expert Diagnosis

The first step in managing tongue tie is accurate diagnosis. At First Choice Dental, we work closely with multiple practitioners who can diagnose and perform a functional assessment to assess the severity of the condition.

Minimally Invasive Treatment

First Choice Dental offer treatment using the Waterlase Laser. This is the foremost leading technology which is available for all patients. The procedure helps release the oral restrictions by using precise laser technology, this reduces bleeding, discomfort, and recovery time. Our goal is to provide effective treatment while minimizing stress for both the child and the parents.

Comprehensive Post-Treatment Care

We believe that successful treatment doesn’t end with the procedure. After a frenectomy, our team provides detailed post-treatment care instructions and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and improved tongue mobility. We also offer guidance on tongue exercises to support recovery and maximize the results of the treatment.

Collaborative Approach

At First Choice Dental, we take a holistic, family-centered approach to care. We work closely with parents and, when needed, collaborate with speech therapists and lactation consultants to address any feeding or speech concerns related to tongue tie. Our team is here to support you throughout the entire process, from initial diagnosis to follow-up care.
If you suspect your child may have tongue tie, don’t hesitate to reach out to First Choice Dental, we can help point you in the right direction. Our expert team is ready to provide the compassionate care your child deserves, helping them overcome challenges and ensuring long-term oral health and well-being.

Conclusion

Tongue ties in children is a condition that is very common. It can have significant effects on feeding, speech, and oral health if left untreated. Identifying the signs early and seeking proper diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider is crucial. With treatment options ranging from simple monitoring to surgical intervention, parents can ensure that their child gets the care they need to thrive. If you suspect that your child may have a tongue tie, don’t hesitate to reach out to First Choice Dental for guidance.