Posted by Megan Van Noy on May 24 2022, 01:53 AM
Tongue-tie is when the frenulum (the piece of skin under the tongue) is too short and restricts the movement of the tongue. The tongue-tie can be located at the front of the mouth, under the tongue, or under the gum line.
While not all tongue-ties require treatment, if it affects speech, eating, or causes other problems, it’s recommended to treat it. Tongue-tie can affect the way babies feed, causes speech impediments, and can make teeth grow crookedly, requiring orthodontic treatment.
Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition in which the tongue’s frenulum is too short. This can cause a range of symptoms.
Some patients may experience difficulty when it comes to breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. The baby may have trouble latching on properly, or nurses may have a hard time clearing the nipple and are left with sore nipples. This can be especially true for women with particularly short frenulums.
Other patients may experience pain or discomfort when speaking or eating. The tongue may be tethered to the floor of the mouth, which can cause irritation and damage to the lining of the mouth. This damage can cause discoloration, bad breath, and bleeding.
The frenulum is a band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Tongue-tie is a condition where the frenulum is too short, which restricts movement. This can cause problems with eating, speaking, and other functions.
There are several types of tongue-tie, but the most common types are:
Tongue-tie can be diagnosed by a dentist or physician. A dentist or physician can diagnose tongue-tie using a physical exam.
The dentist or physician will examine your child’s tongue and mouth. During the exam, they will look for any abnormalities or weak spots in the tongue. They may also use a flashlight to get a better view inside the mouth.
In some cases, a tongue-tie diagnosis can also be made during routine dental cleaning. During your child’s cleaning, our dentist will look for any abnormalities or abnormalities in your child’s tongue.
Myofunctional therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on teeth and facial muscles. This therapy looks to correct issues such as mouth breathing, tongue-tie, and teeth grinding. Myofunctional therapy can also be helpful for children with speech problems.
Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that involves a trained dental professional guiding your child’s tongue into a resting posture. For younger patients, this involves placing a finger across the posterior of their mouth and guiding the tongue forward. For older patients, the trained dental professional may use a tongue depressor or a tongue crib, a tool that resembles a pacifier.
This treatment is typically performed once a day or once every other day, depending on the patient. Once the tongue is properly resting, the trained dental professional may ask your child to breathe through their nose. This is done for several minutes, and your child’s tongue muscles begin to relax and release.
No. Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive treatment. It involves the use of exercises to lengthen muscles in the oral cavity. This treatment does not hurt or inflict any pain.
To know more, please call us at (206) 276-5294, schedule an appointment online or email us at info@nwmyofunctionaltherapy.com to have a consultation with our teamin Portland, OR, and we will be happy to help.
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