Do You Have Tongue-Tie Symptoms?
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) affects many babies and individuals across Denton, Robson Ranch, Corinth, Argyle, and Krum, TX. This condition occurs when the lingual frenulum—the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is unusually short, tight, or thick, restricting the tongue’s range of movement.
Recognizing symptoms early is crucial for effective treatment and preventing long-term complications. To learn more about tongue-tie, contact our Denton, TX, dental practice today by calling (940) 566-4888 to schedule your appointment.
Common Tongue-Tie Symptoms by Age Group
In Infants and Babies with Tongue-Tie
- Breastfeeding difficulties in babies with tongue-tie include trouble latching, leading to nipple pain for the breastfeeding parent. Clicking sounds during nursing may indicate poor milk transfer, while prolonged feeding sessions can result in dissatisfaction. Inefficient milk transfer hinders weight gain and causes frustration for you and your baby during breastfeeding sessions.
- Bottle-feeding challenges can also arise in babies with tongue-tie. These include similar difficulty with proper suction, milk leakage around the mouth during feeding, and excessive air intake, which can lead to increased gassiness and reflux.
- Physical Signs: Babies with tongue ties may show physical signs like a heart-shaped or notched tongue tip when extended. They often struggle to lift the tongue past the gums, have limited tongue mobility, and can’t stick the tongue out beyond the lips. A visible, tight band of tissue beneath the tongue is also common.
In Children with Tongue-Tie
- Speech Development Issues: Children with tongue-tie may experience trouble pronouncing certain sounds, particularly “t,” “d,” “l,” “r,” “s,” “z,” and “th.” This can make the child’s speech difficult to understand, leading to frustration when attempting to communicate. Speech therapy is often recommended by speech-language pathologists to address these issues
- Eating Challenges: Children with tongue-tie may experience eating challenges such as difficulty with certain food textures, problems moving food around the mouth, and messy eating habits that go beyond typical developmental stages. They might also avoid specific foods due to these challenges.
- Dental and Oral Health Concerns: Babies and children with tongue-tie may experience gaps between their front lower teeth, leading to potential dental issues like cavities due to trapped food. They might also face gum recession on their lower front teeth. Additionally, mouth breathing is common, which can further impact oral health.
- Additional Concerns: There is a potential link between tongue-tie and sleep apnea in some cases. Additionally, individuals may experience difficulty with oral hygiene due to restricted tongue movement.
In Adults with Untreated Tongue-Tie
- Persistent Speech Difficulties: Individuals with tongue-tie may continue to face challenges with pronunciation, which can lead to social anxiety related to speech patterns.
- Oral Function Issues: Challenges with kissing, restricted tongue movement affecting eating enjoyment, and difficulty reaching the roof of the mouth or back teeth with the tongue.
- Sleep and Breathing Concerns: Tongue-tie can potentially contribute to sleep-disordered breathing and may have a possible relationship with sleep apnea symptoms. Additionally, it can lead to restricted airway positioning, affecting overall sleep quality.
Proper Diagnosis of Tongue-Tie
Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by qualified healthcare providers:
Diagnostic Process
A lactation consultant initially evaluates breastfeeding issues. A pediatrician or family dentist like Dr. Patrick Ruehle or Dr. Erika Eide at Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry then examines the case for a thorough assessment when necessary.
During the evaluation, they visually inspect the lingual frenulum and assess the tongue’s range of motion. They conduct functional testing of tongue mobility and observe feeding in infants. For children and adults, they include a speech evaluation. The evaluation process also classifies anterior versus posterior tongue ties.
Types of Tongue-Tie
- Anterior Tongue-Tie: This type of tongue-tie is visible at the front of the tongue. It often presents with a classic heart-shaped appearance when the tongue is extended, making it typically easier to diagnose.
- Posterior Tongue-Tie: Located deeper under the tongue’s mucous membrane, the posterior tongue-tie is often missed in routine examinations. It requires specialized assessment techniques but may still significantly affect feeding and speech.
Treatment Options in Denton, TX
The approach to treating tongue-tie has evolved significantly, with several effective options now available:
Infant Treatments
- Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Release): This is a quick, minimally invasive procedure often performed without anesthesia in infants. It can lead to immediate improvement in breastfeeding and dramatically enhance a baby’s ability to transfer milk.
- Laser Treatment: This precise frenotomy treatment uses dental laser technology, resulting in minimal bleeding and faster healing. It offers reduced discomfort compared to traditional techniques and is available at our Denton dental practice.
Children and Adult Treatments
- Surgical options include traditional frenectomy with scissors or scalpel, laser frenectomy treatment for precise tissue management, and frenuloplasty for more complex cases.
- A comprehensive care approach involves pre-procedure exercises to prepare the tongue, post-procedure stretching to prevent reattachment, follow-up with a speech-language pathologist when needed, and myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue muscles and function.
Why Choose Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Tongue-Tie Treatment
At Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Ruehle and Dr. Eide offer specialized tongue-tie care for patients throughout Denton, TX, and surrounding communities:
- Comprehensive assessment of tongue mobility and function
- State-of-the-art diagnostic techniques for both anterior and posterior tongue tie
- Advanced treatment options tailored to each patient’s needs
- Collaborative approach with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and other specialists
- Comfortable, family-friendly environment
- Convenient location serving Denton, Robson Ranch, Corinth, Argyle, and Krum, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re experiencing nipple pain, your baby has trouble latching, or feeding sessions are prolonged with poor weight gain, a tongue-tie evaluation is recommended. Our team works closely with lactation consultants to assess feeding difficulties.
Yes, tongue-tie can significantly affect a child’s speech, particularly with sounds that require tongue elevation or extension. Early intervention can prevent long-term speech difficulties.
While the tissue may stretch slightly over time, significant tongue-tie rarely resolves completely without intervention. Early treatment prevents feeding issues, speech difficulties, and other long-term complications.
Take Action for Better Oral Health
If you suspect tongue-tie in yourself or your child, don’t wait to seek evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve quality of life. Call Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (940) 566-4888 to schedule a tongue-tie consultation with Dr. Ruehle or Dr. Eide. Our experienced dental team serves patients throughout Denton, Robson Ranch, Corinth, Argyle, and Krum, TX, with compassionate care.