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by Abby Sakovich M.S., CCC-SLP
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the band of skin
connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual
frenulum) is shorter, thicker, and/or tighter than usual. The
condition is present at birth and limits the tongue’s range
of motion. Tongue-tie may make it difficult for a child to
lift the tip of the tongue to the upper teeth, stick out the
tongue past the lower teeth, and move the tongue from
side to side. Some instances of tongue-tie may cause no
problems, but tongue-tie may affect a child’s feeding,
swallowing, and speech. Tongue-tie is more likely to occur in
boys and may run in families.
Difficulties Potentially Resulting from Tongue-Tie
Breastfeeding
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Babies must keep the tongue positioned over the lower lip when sucking. Tonguetie
impedes a baby’s ability to extend the tongue far enough to achieve sufficient
suction. The inability to breastfeed, if not addressed, may lead to inadequate
nutrition and failure to thrive.
Speech
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Sounds requiring tongue elevation, such as /t, d, z, s, th/ and /l/, may be difficult to
produce. Some children may also struggle to produce an /r/ sound. The condition
may also contribute to the formation of a gap between the front bottom teeth.
It is important to note that no empirical evidence exists demonstrating tongue-tie
as a direct cause of speech disorders. As with all non-developmental speech-sound
production, a speech-language-pathologist can determine whether speech-sound
errors warrant intervention.
Oral Hygiene
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The tongue plays an important part in cleaning the mouth of food debris. As
children begin eating solid food, tongue-tie may obstruct a child’s ability to sweep
food from the teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay and inflamed
gums.
Treatment Options
Some doctors and lactation experts recommend immediate treatment of tongue-tie,
while others recommend waiting to see if the condition will resolve on its own. The
lingual frenulum may loosen as a child grows or tongue-tie may not cause any feeding,
swallowing, or speech difficulties. Treatment can occur immediately after birth, when a
child is older, or when a child reaches adulthood.
Doctors may recommend a frenotomy, a simple procedure consisting of clipping the
lingual frenulum. It is typically quick and painless and results in little to no bleeding. If
the lingual frenulum is too thick, doctors may recommend a more extensive procedure
called a frenuloplasty. This involves general anesthesia and sutures or stitches.
When deciding the best approach for addressing tongue-tie, parents would benefit from
consulting with doctors, feeding specialists, and speech-language pathologists. A team
approach can help parents make the best decision for their family.
Resources
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