Have you ever wondered why your child didn’t latch on properly when trying to nurse?  Ever wondered why your 8 year old still has speech issues after being in speech therapy for the last 2-3 years?  Ever wondered why you can’t seem to move the food around in your mouth and chew it properly even after 40 years of experience?  Ever wondered if something could be done about it?

It can happen to anyone.  You visit doctor after doctor and still find no solution.  You still can’t say certain words properly and have a difficult time chewing your food which leads to poor digestion; eventually leading to medication that may not have been necessary.  It’s a domino effect!  A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) can go undiagnosed for many years, unfortunately.  Few providers recognize the need for a “tongue tie release” or a Frenectomy.  Some providers simply fail to see the importance of releasing a tongue (or lip) tie, however, it can have damaging effects for many years to come.  You can have anterior tongue tie (which is noticeable by lifting the tongue) or a posterior tongue tie (which is much harder to identify and is deep in the tongue).  Lip ties also cause problems and can prevent the mouth from closing which create similar issues as well. Below are some implications of ignoring a Tongue-Tie:

1. Difficulty nursing or even bottle feeding which can lead to unnecessary weight loss in infants/children due to lack of nutrition.
2. Airway obstruction leading to decreased oxygen to the brain,  which in turn affects not only normal growth and development of the neurological system, but also the cardiovascular, respiratory,  and skeletal systems.
3. Digestive disorders – an anchored tongue prevents proper chewing, swallowing, range of motion and overall function of the tongue.
4. Speech difficulties that can lead to psychological and behavioral development.
5. GERD (acid reflux) due to improper digestion.
6. Aerophagia – excessive swallowing of air when chewing/swallowing.  This leads to belching, flatulence (gas) and pain in the stomach.

Do any of these symptoms ring a bell? Taking any medications for any of these issues and still wonder why you are having difficulty? Undiagnosed and untreated tongue and lip ties can cause a host of problems, as a child and as an adult.  Most of the time we end up compensating for this issue and we remain functional.  Below are a few quick videos for you to watch that touch on these issues:

https://youtu.be/lZAi2Vf84NY   (Lactation consultant on importance of recognizing tongue tie in infants)

https://youtu.be/tnhm9pA737o  (Effects of tongue tie in adults)

https://youtu.be/bzuidYrXhPQ (Part 1 of Dad and 2 sons with tongue ties)

https://youtu.be/7dAmu9mayUo (Part 2 of Dad and 2 sons – notice the difference in behavior)

Not all providers see things the same.  I encourage you to find someone who is knowledgeable in this area and honestly thinks outside the box.  As a Myofunctional Therapist and Dental Hygienist, I am trained to recognize tongue and lip ties.  I can then refer you to the proper specialist for official diagnosis and treatment.  Myofunctional therapy is recommended before and after a tongue or lip release.  Before the release it is helpful to prepare the muscles for healing and function post-surgery.  After the surgery, therapy will help retrain the tongue to proper function, mobility for chewing/swallowing/speech, and correct rest posture.  So I ask you again, are you tired of being tied down?