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922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421

922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421

Oral Care: How to Determine If Your Child Has a Tongue-Tie

dentist treating child's teeth

A tongue knot is one of the top causes cited online when infants or children cannot eat or speak properly. This blog post examines many simple approaches parents may utilize to determine if their child or infant may be infected with this illness. This article can also find where to visit a dentist in Lexington. 

The Directive

There may be an issue if your child’s tongue is small, heart-shaped, cannot be elevated, or cannot be protruded. A poor exam technique is sticking your tongue out. Instead, teach your youngster to raise their tongue (or do it for them). If you observe a thread connected to the tip of your child’s tongue, they likely have a limitation impacting speech. Following is the third point.

The Subtle Indication

Even if a parent believes their kid displays some or all of the symptoms of a tongue tie, when they elevate their child’s tongue, the string (frenum) is often not attached to or even close to the tip. Sometimes just 25% is apparent, or there may be no trace of a frenum. 

A posterior tongue tie is less obvious but more prevalent than the normal tip tongue restriction. It has not been addressed by healthcare professionals, medical or dentistry school curricula, or continuing education programs.

The posterior knot can be identified by approaching the patient from behind and raising the tongue with both index fingers on either side. The fascia or connective tissue assumes the appearance of a string or frenulum, and there is often a great deal of stress. 

However, the mere appearance of this trait in a baby or toddler does not establish a causal association. To be identified as having a tongue tie, additional symptoms must be present in addition to the constricted tissue string.

The Symptoms 

Contrary to common assumption, a tongue-tie can exist with or without any of these symptoms. 

  • Depending on the mother’s milk production or how effectively she compensates for the infant’s poor eating habits, a tongue-tied infant may occasionally gain weight slowly or quickly. Sometimes breastfeeding hurts more than childbirth, sometimes it hurts a bit, and sometimes a tongue-tied infant does not hurt. 
  • Newborns frequently experience the uncomfortable latch with a less evident posterior tongue tie.
  • Others suffer from stuttering, clarity, speech sounds (R, L, S, etc.), confidence, and a substantial speech delay. Some children with tongue knots may talk clearly. The same applies to feeding, sleeping, and eating (slow and selective eating, particularly meat) (restless sleep, snoring, teeth grinding, etc.). 

Inadequate latch, weight increase, frequent spitting up or reflux, clicking or slapping sounds, and frequent gassiness or fussiness.

Other symptoms among infants include: 

  • The milk is gushing from the lips.
  • Frustration with prolonged breastfeeding sessions or with constantly feeling hungry.
  • Motherly Concerns
  • difficult nursing Pale, creased, and depressed nipples
  • Cut or blistered nipples
  • inadequate breast discharge
  • obstructed ducts and mastitis
  • For nursing, a nipple shield is essential

Other symptoms among young children include: 

  • Communication difficulties are frustrating
  • Problems with speech, understanding, and mumbling
  • Particularly finicky with textures (meat, mashed potatoes)
  • inconsistent sleeping (kicking or moving while asleep)
  • Sleeping with mouth open and grinding teeth at night
  • Snores (quiet or loud)
  • Chronic headaches and neck pain

Trust Your Instinct 

Sometimes you must rely on your instincts. Almost invariably, if you observe something “weird” about your child, there is a problem. Even if medical professionals convince you that “this is normal” or “all newborns are fussy, gassy, colicky, etc.” or that “his siblings speak for him,” heed your instincts. You may consider a co2 laser for tongue-tie, with consultation with a dentist first. 

Conclusion 

Due to the prevalence of tongue-ties, it is usual for newborns to endure gas, irritation, and poor feeding. People incorrectly feel that these symptoms are typically due to their frequency. So, as early as now, you might as well consult with a cosmetic dentist in Lexington. 

Lexington Smile Studio, founded in 1991 by Dr. Fawn Rosenberg, sets the bar for great care by providing a comprehensive variety of dental treatments for the entire family. Contact us if you need co2 laser for tongue-tie

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