Tongue Tie, formally known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. This condition is present at birth and can cause speech, eating, and swallowing challenges in children.
It is often caused by the lingual frenulum, the center brand of tissue under the tongue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, being too short and tight. Children with this condition can have difficulty making certain sounds, such as d, l, r, s, t, th, and z, as tongue tie interferes, in addition to facing non speech related issues with eating, oral hygiene, or playing a musical instrument.
Children experiencing speech difficulties related to Tongue Tie, should see a Speech Specialist for an assessment to determine the best course of treatment. Speech therapy and possibly surgery, known as a frenotomy, may be recommended.
A frenotomy procedure is a simple and effective treatment for children with tongue tie. During the in-office procedure, a small cut is made in the frenulum, which allows for the tongue to move freely without any movement limitations. It’s possible that a child will need to see a Speech Therapist after this procedure to help them retrain their tongue muscles. In some cases, a more complex procedure may be advised such as a frenectomy, where the frenulum is removed, or a frenuloplasty, where several methods are used to correct the condition.
At New Horizons Therapy, we specialize in helping children with tongue tie rehabilitate. Our patient centered approach incorporates a multidisciplinary team that may include your orthodontist, dentist, primary care provider, ENT, or other specialized medical professionals into our assessment and treatment plan. This ensures that your child is provided customized care that not only maximizes their current orofacial functions, but also prevents future dysfunctions from occurring. If your child has been diagnosed with tongue tie or recovering from tongue tie surgery, we can help. Schedule a free 15-minute evaluation today for your child.
