When the small piece of tissue (frenulum) underneath your child’s tongue is too short or too tight and restricts movement, your child may have a condition called tongue-tie. While this may seem like a minor issue, it can significantly impact your child’s oral health, diet, and speech development.
Early recognition of the signs and symptoms can help prevent these developmental setbacks. At Lee Dental, our team of experienced dental professionals offers comprehensive dental care for children and adults in Frisco, Texas.
Does your child have a tongue-tie? Let’s take a look at some of the telltale signs.
A tongue-tie affects an estimated 1 to 11% of newborns, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While not every case requires treatment, recognizing the signs will help you know when to seek help so you can support your child’s optimal development.
Common indicators of a tongue-tie during infancy include:
Older children may exhibit speech impediments or difficulty with certain mouth movements. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so a consultation with the experts at Lee Dental is crucial to accurately diagnosing a tongue-tie.
A tongue-tie, if left untreated, can have a significant impact on your child’s health. Here’s how:
Breastfeeding difficulties are a common issue, often leading to pain and cracked nipples for the mother, and insufficient milk transfer to the baby. This can result in frustration for both you and your child.
As children get older, a tongue-tie can continue to affect their eating habits. Difficulty consuming certain food textures can lead to picky eating, nutritional deficiencies, and meal-time meltdowns.
Restricted tongue movement due to a tongue-tie can affect your child’s speech development. Certain sounds require precise tongue placement and flexibility, which may be hindered by a short frenulum.
This can result in challenges producing specific consonants and vowels, leading to unclear speech. Over time, persistent speech problems can negatively impact your child’s confidence, social interactions, and overall communication skills.
A tongue-tie can also cause oral health issues. Restricted tongue movement can make it difficult for kids to clean their teeth and gums effectively, allowing plaque and tartar to build up in the areas they miss. Tongue-ties can also contribute to crowded teeth, overbites, and underbites.
Identifying the signs of a tongue-tie is the first step toward addressing the issue. If you suspect your child has a tongue-tie, schedule a consultation with us right away.
A thorough examination of your child’s mouth will help us determine if a tongue-tie is present, and allow us to assess its severity. Tongue-ties are classified by how much they restrict the tongue’s movement:
Several treatment options are available, ranging from watchful waiting to laser therapy to surgical intervention. Depending on your child’s specific circumstances, our team of experts can advise you on the best course of action.
While some tongue-ties do resolve on their own, early intervention can often prevent or minimize the challenges associated with this condition. For more information, make an appointment at Lee Dental today.
