What the heck is a tongue tie?
In the last few years, I have noticed an increase in children presenting with tethered oral tissue or better known as tongue tie, lip tie and cheek ties. Tethers of the oral tissue can contribute to the following symptoms:
inability to chew solid foods
gagging, choking or vomitting foods
picky eating
difficulties related to dental hygiene
excessive and persistent drooling
delayed development or regression of speech
behavior problems
Without proper intervention, a child can grow to experience issues with inflamed tissues (e.g., tonsils, adenoids), sleep and airway issues, dental issues, depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD, bedwetting, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches.
It is important to consult with an experienced provider (speech-language pathologist, registered dental hygientist, dentist, ENT) to thoroughly assess for tethered oral tissue and to discuss if releasing the tissue is best suited for the child’s development.
“My pediatrician hasn’t said anything about a tongue tie”
I would recommend an experienced provider assess the child’s oral structures in order to have a better understanding. Experience providers include speech-language pathologist, registered dental hygienist, dentist, ENT
“I was told my child’s tongue tie can’t be released until they are 5 years old”
Releases of tethered oral tissue can be done as early as infancy. It is recommended that parents discuss their concerns with experienced release providers in order to create a plan that feels best for the child.
“Does my child need to have their tongue tie released”
Having tethered oral tissue alone is not an indication of needing a release. It is important that the parent discuss their child’s symptoms with an experienced provider in order to determine if there is a need for a release. Consider if the tongue tie is impeding the functionality for sucking, swallowing, breathing, chewing or speaking.
“Will a tongue tie release help my child learn how to speak”
If your child is acquiring language naturally and their tongue tie is negatively impacting their sound production, then a tongue tie release may help your child’s speech intelligibility. If your child is not yet acquiring language, then a tongue tie release may not contribute to an improvement in speaking.