Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a common condition that affects infants’ ability to move their tongue freely. This can lead to some difficulties as they grow and may be difficult to spot if you’re not aware of the signs. Let’s take a look at what tongue-tie is, how to spot it, and what Tongue-tie treatment options exist.
What Is Tongue-Tie?
Tongue-tie is a common condition that reportedly affects over 3 million people per year just in the United States alone, but what exactly is it? Tongue-tie is a condition where the lingual frenulum, the connective tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth, is too thick, short, or tight. This restricts the movement of the tongue and causes issues with eating, breastfeeding, speaking, and oral hygiene.
Is It Affecting Your Child?
Tongue-tie is a relatively easy condition to spot if you know what to look for. Let’s take a look at the most common signs that your child may have Tongue-tie.
Heart-Shaped Tongue
If your child’s tongue appears to be heart-shaped and dips in the center when stuck out, it could be a sign of Tongue-tie. This is because the lingual frenulum is holding the tongue back and pulling the tongue back to the floor of the mouth, creating resistance.
Inactive Tongue
Another sign of tongue-tie is when a child has difficulty moving their tongue to the top and far signs of their mouth. This is because of the restraint of the condition.
Can’t Stick Out Tongue
Similar to having an inactive tongue, your child may not be able to stick their tongue out, or they are limited in how far they can stick it out. Again, this is because of the restrictions tongue-tie places on a tongue.
Seeking Professional Help
Your child’s well-being is always paramount, and the idea of a condition affecting your child at such a young age can be stressful for a parent. Thankfully, our team at Pound Ridge Cosmetic Dentistry can not only treat tongue-tie, but we also make it our mission to give the child and the parents as smooth of an experience as possible.
Pediatric dentistry takes patience, compassion, and understanding. These are key virtues our staff takes pride in and extends to every patient. If you’re concerned about tongue-tie affecting your child, contact Pound Ridge Cosmetic Dentistry at 914-764-3540 today.
