Skip to main content

Problems That Can Occur if Your Child Has a Tongue Tie

Problems That Can Occur if Your Child Has a Tongue Tie

Ankyloglossia is the medical term for tongue-tie, a condition that restricts the normal range of tongue movement for children. It occurs when your child’s lingual frenulum connects the tip of their tongue to the floor of their mouth. For some children, this tissue band may be tight, thick, or short, causing restricted motion. 

Tongue-tie doesn’t always cause problems, but there are often issues with oral development when the lingual frenulum doesn’t separate prior to birth. The pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialists at Lawrence Otolaryngology can quickly confirm that tongue-tie is present before making a recommendation for treatment. 

How tongue-tie forms

Normally, the lingual frenulum separates from the tongue before a child is born. It’s not known why this doesn’t happen for some, but the condition can run in families. Tongue-tie tends to affect boys more often than girls. 

If your baby has tongue-tie, you may notice that tongue movement seems restricted. Your child may not be able to touch their tongue to the upper teeth, or they may not be able to stick their tongue out beyond their lower front teeth. A notch may appear in the tip when they press their tongue forward. 

Problems that can occur if your child has tongue-tie

A child with tongue-tie may have few complications from the condition, or a unique combination of symptoms. Some of the most common include:

Feeding

Often, the first complication caused by tongue-tie is difficulty latching during breastfeeding. Tongue-tie might prevent the proper motion for sucking, through which the tongue must cover the lower gum arch. With the tongue unable to reach forward, the gums bite onto the nipple rather than sucking from it. This can lead to inadequate feeding and issues with nutrition in early life. 

Your child may seem hungry despite long feeding times. They may fuss while feeding, while producing clicking sounds. Weight gain doesn’t happen as expected. Extended feeding times may be followed by a short break before they want to feed again. 

This can create problems for the mother, including pain during and following breastfeeding, cracked or sore nipples, low milk supply, or an inflammation of the breast called mastitis. 

Speaking

As your child learns to speak, tongue-tie interferes with the creation of certain sounds, including the letters D, L, N, R, S, T, and Z, as well as the TH combination. They also might not be able to make a rolling R sound. 

Oral hygiene challenges

Limited tongue motion affects your child’s ability to sweep food debris from their mouth. This can lead to gum inflammation, called gingivitis, and tooth decay. Some children with tongue-tie develop gaps between the middle pair of teeth at the front bottom. 

When tongue-tie complications are severe, your doctor may recommend surgery to release the tongue. It’s a simple procedure that produces little pain or bleeding, and it is often done in a medical office setting. Not all cases of tongue-tie require surgery though, and the frenulum may loosen naturally over time. 

Call the nearest of our two offices to schedule a consultation. Together with your specialist, you can decide on the best course of action for your child. Book an appointment today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Adjusting Well to Your Hearing Aids

Corrective devices all carry adjustment periods. Eyeglasses tend to be easy, particularly if you’ve worn glasses for years. Hearing aids are another matter. Generally, these take longer to feel like your new normal.

How to Relieve Your Acute Sinusitis Symptoms

You might think of acute sinusitis as a remnant of a cold or flu, a sinus infection, or just plain stuffiness. A sinus infection can create miserable headaches and uncomfortable breathing conditions. Here are some ideas to help.

5 Signs of an Adult Ear Infection

Ear infections aren’t only a problem for youngsters. Adults can get them, too, but usually not with the same frequency as kids, who have their youthful anatomy working against them. A middle ear infection can be painful, no matter your age. 

Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Hearing

Just as your risk of skin cancer rises with every sunburn, your risk of hearing loss increases with every dangerous exposure to loud noise. Last night’s rock concert may not have an immediate effect, but it contributes over the long haul.

Why Do I Lose My Voice Easily?

Losing your voice can be a disconcerting feeling, when you open your mouth and nothing comes out except a breathy rasp of a sound that barely carries your words. Chronic or recurrent dysphonia points to problems other than respiratory infections.

How Do I Know if My Thyroid Isn't Functioning Properly?

Problems with the thyroid gland start when it either over- or under-produces its native hormones. The resulting symptoms depend on which side of the disorder you experience. However, it’s sometimes hard to trace symptoms back to the thyroid.