A tongue tie is not a new discovery and has been treated for many years, but it’s becoming much more widely known and studied. The scientific term is the frenum, located under the tongue, attaching the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This significantly reduces the range of motion of the tongue and can lead to problems in adulthood such as chronic pain, dental issues, and speech issues. How do you know when to contact a local tongue tie specialist?
In children, identifying is quite easy. The frenum appears as a fibrous band under the tongue that attaches to the bottom of the mouth.
There should be some attachment there, but it should end not far along the tongue. If the frenum ends near the tip of the tongue, there is cause for removal. Consult your local tongue tie specialist for a full diagnosis.
The procedure is different for adults and children. Normally, the child’s pediatrician can take care of it with a simple procedure. After years of development, the adult will require local anesthesia and a full procedure to remove the tongue tie, as it will have become a structural part of the mouth.
If you feel this may be right for your child or yourself, please reach out to a tongue-tie specialist.
