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What Is Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is an unusually short, thick band of tissue that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. This tight band causes a limited range of motion. This is a potentially serious problem that can affect speech, airway development, facial appearance, and more. In order to fix the tongue tie, doctors have to release this band. This procedure is called a frenectomy.
Warning Signs
Difficulty to latch while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding for long periods
Difficulty gaining weight
Clicking sound during feeding
Constant Hunger
Heart-shaped tip of the tongue
Consequences of Going Untreated
Not treating tongue-tie at an early age can result in the need for a lot of medical intervention down the road from speech therapists, psychologists, and especially dentists. Early treatment can prevent a wide array of both physical and mental health consequences.
How Can Therapy Help?
Myofunctional therapy is often necessary both before and after a frenectomy. It helps patients to conquer bad habits and poor posture that was the result of their tongue tie. For example, it may encourage nose breathing rather than mouth breathing.
Before Frenectomy
Myofunctional Therapy uses a variety of techniques to strengthen your tongue and train the surrounding muscles. Complying with your treatment and performing your prescribed exercises at home may provide some relief from your tongue tie symptoms even before your frenectomy.
After Frenectomy
Further therapy might be necessary to help your tongue and mouth achieve proper function. Your Myofunctional exercises may be designed to continue to strengthen your tongue, encourage proper swallowing, and more.