We depend on our tongues for numerous things, including swallowing food, speaking clearly and having good oral hygiene. But some babies are born with a condition that restricts tongue movement, making these necessary tasks harder. This is called tongue tie, which is clinically often known as ankyloglossia.
For newborn babies, difficulty breastfeeding, chest feeding or taking a bottle will be the earliest signs of tongue tie. In older babies and young kids, speech issues could be the first noticeable symptom. So when you’ve noticed any latching, eating or speech issues, it’s necessary to talk with a pediatrician or one other kids’ health specialist.
Below, we explain more about what tongue tie is, general and baby-specific symptoms, how and when it’s treated, and more.
What is tongue tie (ankyloglossia) exactly?
Tongue tie is when the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the underside of the mouth, is too short, thick or tight. When this happens, it may restrict the tongue’s range of motion and impact the best way a baby eats and speaks. But depending on the severity and variety of tongue tie, symptoms and treatment recommendations can vary – which we’ll talk more about below.
Defining several types of tongue tie
Tongue tie is normally described as either anterior or posterior:
- Anterior tongue tie is when the frenulum connects to or near the tip of the tongue.
- Posterior tongue tie is when the frenulum connects toward the center or back of the tongue.
Recognizing symptoms of tongue tie
Tongue tie symptoms rely upon a baby’s age and the severity of their case. Some children with tongue tie may never show symptoms, while others may show signs early in the event that they have difficulty breastfeeding, chest feeding or taking a bottle, or afterward as they’re learning to speak.
What tongue tie looks like in kids
In some cases, tongue tie could make a baby’s tongue look barely forked or heart shaped. Nonetheless, most tongue tie symptoms come from the tongue’s restricted movement, which may make it difficult for a baby or child to:
- Stick their tongue out past their teeth
- Touch their tongue to the roof of their mouth
- Move their tongue side-to-side
- Swallow
- Clear food off of their teeth (which may contribute to tooth decay)
- Talk clearly, particularly appears like “t,” “d,” “s,” “z,” “l,” “r” or “th”
Tongue tied babies and breast or bottle feeding
In babies, feeding challenges are sometimes the primary sign of ankyloglossia, as they show up inside a number of days or even weeks of birth. For breastfed babies, this is because a baby needs to stay their tongue out over their bottom gum with a purpose to latch and nurse. Tongue tie symptoms in breastfed babies can include:
- Breastfeeding for long periods of time
- Weak or easily lost latches
- Chewing on the nipple
- A clicking sound during feeding
Tongue tie also can affect a baby’s ability to take a bottle. In the event that they can’t move their tongue enough to regulate the flow of liquid through their mouth, a bottle-fed baby with tongue tie may show similar symptoms to the above, in addition to:
- Be slow or hesitant to feed
- Push the nipple out of their mouth often
- Dribble lots
- Gag, cough or hiccup often
Together with these symptoms, there could also be signs that your baby isn’t getting enough breastmilk or formula, like slow weight gain or seemingly constant hunger. Nonetheless, tongue tie is just one possible cause, so it’s necessary to seek advice from your child’s doctor or clinician when you’re noticing these symptoms.
How tongue tie is diagnosed
Most frequently, a baby’s primary care doctor or clinician diagnoses tongue tie with a physical examination. They’ll take a look at the tongue’s shape and assess its ability to maneuver. If appropriate, a health care provider may even take heed to your child speak.
A lactation consultant may additionally discover a possible tongue tie and recommend you make an appointment together with your child’s doctor.
How and when ankyloglossia is treated
Generally, a health care provider or clinician will recommend treating a baby’s ankyloglossia if it looks as if it’s going to significantly interfere with eating, oral hygiene or speech. Nonetheless, parents may resolve to pursue treatment immediately or wait to see if anything changes. Treatment isn’t all the time essential – the frenulum may stretch naturally as your child grows, and the tongue tie may go away by itself.
Nonsurgical tongue tie treatments
If you happen to’re breastfeeding or chest feeding and your child has a milder case of tongue tie, a lactation consultant can work with you on latching techniques, oral exercises and feeding positions to assist your child nurse more efficiently, in addition to manage any discomfort chances are you’ll feel.
Similarly, a speech pathologist can assist develop a baby’s ability to breast or bottle feed, in addition to their early communication skills. If you could have a toddler or older child, a speech pathologist can work with them to enhance their pronunciation of adverse sounds.
Surgeries for tongue tie
Surgical tongue tie treatments involve clipping the lingual frenulum to enhance the tongue’s freedom of movement. Frenotomy is essentially the most common and is the treatment that’s normally used for tongue tied babies. It typically causes minimal discomfort and bleeding, and a baby can breastfeed or take a bottle immediately afterwards. Depending on a baby’s age and the severity of their tongue tie, a rather more involved treatment called frenuloplasty could also be used.
Speak with a health care provider when you notice tongue tie symptoms
In case your child has difficulty feeding or swallowing, or is showing other possible symptoms of tongue tie, getting a diagnosis is your next best step. Following that, your child’s doctor can explain the professionals and cons of treatment versus waiting, offer recommendations and refer you to other specialists if essential.
