How Tongue Ties Affect Your Baby's Body: What Parents Need to Know
Parents want the very best for their baby's health and well-being! One issue that can arise in newborns and infants is tongue tie (also known as ankyloglossia). A tongue tie occurs when the frenulum, the thin band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too tight, short, or thick, which can impact various aspects of your baby's body and may require medical attention.
Feeding Difficulties:
One of the most noticeable impacts of tongue ties is the effect on feeding. Babies with tongue ties may have trouble latching onto the breast or bottle nipple properly, leading to inadequate milk intake. This can result in poor weight gain, frustration during feeding, fatigue with feeding, and/or excessively long feeds. Additionally, breastfeeding feeding may become painful for the feeding parent as the baby's improper latch can cause nipple damage.
Speech Development:
Tongue ties can also affect your baby's speech development. The tongue plays a crucial role in producing sounds and forming words. A restricted tongue movement due to a tongue tie can lead to articulation difficulties, such as difficulty pronouncing certain sounds with the letters "t," "d," "l," “g,” and "k." It can also impact the clarity of speech, making it harder for your child to communicate effectively.
Dental Health:
The presence of a tongue tie can also have implications for your baby's dental health. A tight frenulum can cause an incorrect resting posture of the tongue, which may result in an open bite or other orthodontic issues as the child's permanent teeth emerge. Furthermore, the limited tongue mobility can make it challenging for your baby to clean their teeth properly, potentially increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.
Digestive Issues:
Tongue ties can have indirect effects on your baby's digestive system. Feeding difficulties caused by tongue ties may result in increased air intake while feeding, leading to excessive gas and colic. Additionally, babies with tongue ties may struggle to remove food particles from the back of their mouth, potentially causing swallowing difficulties and an increased risk of choking.
Sleep & Airway Disruptions:
Some infants with tongue ties may experience sleep disturbances. Proper oral resting posture consists of the tongue elevated to the roof of the mouth and lips closed. We should be nasal breathing with a closed mouth posture during sleep. A tongue tie can prevent this posture and cause mouth breathing which may lead to decreased oxygen intake, inflamed tonsils, and dental impairments. Additionally, ineffective feeding can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, affecting both the baby and the parents' rest. Addressing the underlying tongue tie issue can help improve sleep quality for both the baby and the family.
Postural Impairments:
The tissues of the orofacial complex, neck, and shoulders are directly and indirectly connected. When there is restricted movement or tightness of the tongue it can affect neck movement and posture. The opposite is also true. When the neck muscles are tight, they may pull on the attachments of the tongue muscles, causing decreased mobility of the tongue. Many adults who have tongue tie release comment on the immediate improvement in posture, neck pain, and headaches.
Understanding the potential effects of tongue ties on your baby's body is crucial for early identification and intervention. If you suspect that your baby may have a tongue tie, consult with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, experienced lactation consultant, pediatric dentist, ENT, or therapist who can check a baby’s tongue function. They can assess the severity of the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options such as therapy or oral tie release surgery (frenectomy). Remember: all surgeries have better outcomes with pre and post therapy. We recommend babies who get tongue tie release receive therapy for optimal healing and tongue function. By addressing tongue ties early on, you can help your baby overcome the challenges associated with this condition and promote their overall health and development.
Reach out to Year One Wellness if you have any concerns. We can help.
