The tongue’s range of motion is controlled or limited by a thin band of tissue called a frenulum, most commonly found under or around the lips or the tongue. Those with an excessively short or tight frenulum, often known as a tongue- or lip-tie, have a frenulum that restricts the tongue’s movement.
Moving your tongue freely is hampered if you or your kid suffer from a tongue tie. This limitation can substantially impact speech, eating, respiration, sleep, and so many other aspects of life over time. This article will educate you about the probable dangers of living with an untreated tongue-tie and the steps you may take to avoid them.
Tongue-Tie Issues at Birth
A tongue-tie in an infant might cause difficulty in breastfeeding. Failure to thrive, colic, impaired maternal-infant bonding, or early termination of nursing are just a few of the issues experienced by new mothers.
If their infant has a tongue-tie, the mother may have problems of her own, such as discomfort when nursing, nipple injury, or even psychological issues such as despair or an overwhelming sense of failure.
The root of the problem will not be solved by discontinuing nursing. A child’s tongue-tie may worsen as they grow older if it is not addressed. It is best to seek a tongue tie dentist near you for help.
Tongue-Tie Issues in Children
It may begin as early as infancy when a child has difficulty eating solid meals. It is usual for a toddler with a tongue tie to experience worsening digestion or feeding problems as they grow older.
Tightness in the child’s tongue or irregular jaw growth can produce a narrowing of the upper palate, increasing the risk of sleep apnea and other breathing problems.
Speech difficulties can affect confidence and self-esteem, particularly in school or when making new friends. As a result, the body has begun to adjust to the limitations in range of motion by forming unconscious, unfavorable habits that represent a more significant obstacle to oral health and function.
Tongue-Tie Issues in Adulthood
People with a tongue-tie usually develop unhelpful habits by the time they reach adulthood. An adult with tongue-tie may experience malnutrition due to their inability to chew and swallow their meals properly.
As a result of the restricted movement of the tongue, they may suffer from speech impairment or sleep apnea. To make matters worse, those who have grown up with a tongue tie are more likely to suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), which can cause chronic discomfort in the jaws and headaches when the jaws open or close.
Treatments for Tongue-Tie
Others believe that tongue-ties aren’t a huge concern and will go away as you get older. That is not the case, unfortunately. An individual with a tongue tie must have it released to have a complete range of motion in their tongue, regardless of their age or youth.
This operation, known as a functional frenuloplasty, uses a laser to free up the tissue. A set of exercises known as myofunctional therapy might be prescribed by your tongue tie dentist
after the tongue tie is loosened to repair any bad habits that were formed as compensation for the reduced range of motion.
Conclusion
Nobody should have to live their entire lives feeling limited by the lack of mobility in their tongue. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent those issues. Some people may feel embarrassed by the need for a tongue-tie release, but as a parent, you should never feel ashamed of asking for help to provide a better life for your children.
Are you looking for a tongue-tie doctor in Arlington, MA? Lexington Smile Studio offers treatments for tongue-tie or lip-tie in adults. Book your appointment today!
