TONGUE TIE
The tongue is made of eight different muscles. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a piece of tissue called a frenum. A tongue tie, also known as tethered oral tissue (TOT), involves having a tongue that is restricted in motion and function due to the frenum being short and tight. A tongue tie can cause problems with swallowing, clenching, grinding, breathing, choking, mouth breathing, chewing, facial growth inhibition and speech difficulties.
A tongue tie can also affect proper teeth cleaning. If you are tongue tied, moving your tongue around your mouth can be difficult, leaving the teeth prone to cavities and bad breath. The tongue is also unable to properly reach the roof of the mouth which results in open mouth resulting in mouth breathing. Mouth breathing changes the PH balance in the oral cavity increasing risk for cavities.
A baby with a tongue tie can have feeding issues because of improper swallowing habits and difficulty properly latching. Having improper swallowing habit results in the eustachian tubes, the tubes that connect the ear to the mouth, not properly draining which can result in chronic ear infections.
There are different types of tongue tie. Posterior tongue tie (back of tongue) and anterior tongue tie (front of tongue). As an orofacial myologist I am trained at identifying which type exists and referring to the proper dentist who will completely release the tie.
Lastly, a tongue tie can create speech challenges. The tongue has a precise placement to make certain sounds. Many who are tongue tied have “lisps” or trouble making “R” sounds.
HOW TO FIX A TONGUE TIE AND HOW DOES OROFACIAL MYOLOGY HELP?
If a tongue tie is severe, a small surgical procedure called a frenectomy is necessary. With a tongue tie, muscles can be fatigued or flaccid and other muscles overcompensate for those weak ones. Orofacial myology before and after this procedure is key to preventing the frenum from reattaching by activating those flaccid and fatigued muscles to extend tongue range. Having a tongue tie released as a newborn is ideal for proper facial growth, sleep, breastfeeding and swallowing habits. As you can see in the photo, the before image has a tight frenum and its unable to reach the roof of the mouth when open. After the release, the tongue is able to reach the roof while the mouth is open.
The tongue is made of eight different muscles. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a piece of tissue called a frenum. A tongue tie, also known as tethered oral tissue (TOT), involves having a tongue that is restricted in motion and function due to the frenum being short and tight. A tongue tie can cause problems with swallowing, clenching, grinding, breathing, choking, mouth breathing, chewing, facial growth inhibition and speech difficulties.
A tongue tie can also affect proper teeth cleaning. If you are tongue tied, moving your tongue around your mouth can be difficult, leaving the teeth prone to cavities and bad breath. The tongue is also unable to properly reach the roof of the mouth which results in open mouth resulting in mouth breathing. Mouth breathing changes the PH balance in the oral cavity increasing risk for cavities.
A baby with a tongue tie can have feeding issues because of improper swallowing habits and difficulty properly latching. Having improper swallowing habit results in the eustachian tubes, the tubes that connect the ear to the mouth, not properly draining which can result in chronic ear infections.
There are different types of tongue tie. Posterior tongue tie (back of tongue) and anterior tongue tie (front of tongue). As an orofacial myologist I am trained at identifying which type exists and referring to the proper dentist who will completely release the tie.
Lastly, a tongue tie can create speech challenges. The tongue has a precise placement to make certain sounds. Many who are tongue tied have “lisps” or trouble making “R” sounds.
HOW TO FIX A TONGUE TIE AND HOW DOES OROFACIAL MYOLOGY HELP?
If a tongue tie is severe, a small surgical procedure called a frenectomy is necessary. With a tongue tie, muscles can be fatigued or flaccid and other muscles overcompensate for those weak ones. Orofacial myology before and after this procedure is key to preventing the frenum from reattaching by activating those flaccid and fatigued muscles to extend tongue range. Having a tongue tie released as a newborn is ideal for proper facial growth, sleep, breastfeeding and swallowing habits. As you can see in the photo, the before image has a tight frenum and its unable to reach the roof of the mouth when open. After the release, the tongue is able to reach the roof while the mouth is open.
WHY DOES A TONGUE TIE IN INFANTS & CHILDREN MATTER?
The tongue and palate (roof of the mouth) develop in the first 7 weeks in utero. A tongue tie develops at this time and the baby will learn in utero to compensate for it. Not only can a tongue tie affect breastfeeding, but is also something that should be addressed at the earliest of age to help form the palate and airway as the child grows. Thumb sucking in utero can be an apparent Myofunctional Disorder. A tongue tie can lead to a low resting tongue. In turn, the palate (roof of the mouth) does not form around the tongue to create the proper oral space. This can cause a "V" shaped palate instead of a nice "U" shaped palate when looking in the mouth. A "V" shaped palate affects the teeth and can cause tooth crowding and forms a smaller airway. As the child grows, in order to breath they may start having a forward posture meaning their neck and head are positioned forward to breath better. As you know, our bodies systems are all linked together and one can always affect another. A forward head posture can put strain on the neck and jaw.
NEWBORNS
This new bundle of joy just arrived! If this is you, Congrats! Infants are not always checked for tongue tie at birth and if they have been checked, you may have been told they have "a minor tie." I always encourage working with and IBCLC who is educated and specialized in tongue tie because it is key to infant breastfeeding success and long term airway health. I have an integrated approach and coordinate with many IBCLC's who are highly knowledgeable with tongue tie. Contact me for more information and I can get you connected.
CHILDREN 3-6 YEARS OLD
Many tongue ties are missed at birth. Some babies who are tied, may be able to nurse, but have been compensating for their tie with other muscles of the tongue, lips and throat. My Mini Myo program helps retrain the tongue and oral muscles to create correct habits. The Mini Myo program is a shorter program designed for children 3-6 years old. It was created to make myofunctional therapy fun and exciting! The younger myofunctional therapy is utilized, in which compliancy is of utmost importance, the better chance of success in correcting improper swallowing, tongue thrust and nasal breathing.
PRE AND POST TONGUE TIE RELEASE
Babies are obligate nose breathers. When babies mouths are open, this is a possible sign of tongue tie. On the left, you will see pre and post tongue tie release in a 5 months old. The difference in posture and the lower jaw placement. This baby boy is finally able to get his tongue to the roof of the mouth and breath solely though his nose which are two goals of orofacial myology.
The tongue and palate (roof of the mouth) develop in the first 7 weeks in utero. A tongue tie develops at this time and the baby will learn in utero to compensate for it. Not only can a tongue tie affect breastfeeding, but is also something that should be addressed at the earliest of age to help form the palate and airway as the child grows. Thumb sucking in utero can be an apparent Myofunctional Disorder. A tongue tie can lead to a low resting tongue. In turn, the palate (roof of the mouth) does not form around the tongue to create the proper oral space. This can cause a "V" shaped palate instead of a nice "U" shaped palate when looking in the mouth. A "V" shaped palate affects the teeth and can cause tooth crowding and forms a smaller airway. As the child grows, in order to breath they may start having a forward posture meaning their neck and head are positioned forward to breath better. As you know, our bodies systems are all linked together and one can always affect another. A forward head posture can put strain on the neck and jaw.
NEWBORNS
This new bundle of joy just arrived! If this is you, Congrats! Infants are not always checked for tongue tie at birth and if they have been checked, you may have been told they have "a minor tie." I always encourage working with and IBCLC who is educated and specialized in tongue tie because it is key to infant breastfeeding success and long term airway health. I have an integrated approach and coordinate with many IBCLC's who are highly knowledgeable with tongue tie. Contact me for more information and I can get you connected.
CHILDREN 3-6 YEARS OLD
Many tongue ties are missed at birth. Some babies who are tied, may be able to nurse, but have been compensating for their tie with other muscles of the tongue, lips and throat. My Mini Myo program helps retrain the tongue and oral muscles to create correct habits. The Mini Myo program is a shorter program designed for children 3-6 years old. It was created to make myofunctional therapy fun and exciting! The younger myofunctional therapy is utilized, in which compliancy is of utmost importance, the better chance of success in correcting improper swallowing, tongue thrust and nasal breathing.
PRE AND POST TONGUE TIE RELEASE
Babies are obligate nose breathers. When babies mouths are open, this is a possible sign of tongue tie. On the left, you will see pre and post tongue tie release in a 5 months old. The difference in posture and the lower jaw placement. This baby boy is finally able to get his tongue to the roof of the mouth and breath solely though his nose which are two goals of orofacial myology.
WHAT IS A TONGUE THRUST
A tongue thrust is a swallowing pattern in which the tongue pushes against the teeth while swallowing. Most often a person who has a tongue tie will likely have a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. Common indications that one may have a tongue thrust include speech problems (ex. Lisps), mouth breathing and thumb sucking. A tongue thrust does not allow the tongue to properly rest along the palate of the mouth causing air to be swallowed. The swallowing of air is called Aerophagia. Therapy is used to develop the correct habit of swallowing to improve and eliminate tongue thrusts and the resulting problems such as bloating, belching and flatulence. Tongue thrust can cause orthodontic relapse, meaning teeth move after orthodontic treatment because the underlying tongue thrust has not been treated.
A tongue thrust is a swallowing pattern in which the tongue pushes against the teeth while swallowing. Most often a person who has a tongue tie will likely have a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. Common indications that one may have a tongue thrust include speech problems (ex. Lisps), mouth breathing and thumb sucking. A tongue thrust does not allow the tongue to properly rest along the palate of the mouth causing air to be swallowed. The swallowing of air is called Aerophagia. Therapy is used to develop the correct habit of swallowing to improve and eliminate tongue thrusts and the resulting problems such as bloating, belching and flatulence. Tongue thrust can cause orthodontic relapse, meaning teeth move after orthodontic treatment because the underlying tongue thrust has not been treated.
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