Tongue Tie Release

Advanced Oral Function and Comfort: Tongue Tie Release for Children and Adults

The ability of the tongue and lips to move freely is absolutely fundamental to a vast number of vital human functions—from a newborn’s ability to feed to an adult’s clarity of speech and overall oral health.When a tight band of tissue, known as a frenum (or frenulum), restricts this movement, the condition is commonly referred to as a "tongue tie" (medically known as ankyloglossia) or a "lip tie." At Flossophy, we recognize that these restrictions can impact individuals at any age, and we offer specialized, gentle, and effective tongue tie release (frenectomy) procedures for both children and adults right here in our Bourbonnais office. Our goal is to release these physical limitations to help our patients achieve optimal function, health, and comfort.

Understanding the Impact of Tongue Tie Across a Lifetime

A tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short, thick, or tight.While this condition is often associated with infancy, the functional challenges it presents can persist and even worsen as an individual ages, leading to a cascade of related health issues that demand professional intervention.

For Infants and Young Children: The Foundation of Development

In infants, the most common and often critical symptom is difficulty with feeding, particularly breastfeeding. A restricted tongue cannot create the necessary vacuum or range of motion for an effective latch, leading to issues such as:

• Poor Latch and Inefficient Feeding: This can result in poor weight gain for the baby and significant pain or trauma for the mother.

• Speech Development Issues: As children grow, a restricted tongue can impede the articulation of specific sounds (such as 't', 'd', 'z', 's', 'th', 'r', and 'l'), leading to speech delays or persistent impediments like a lisp.

• Difficulty Swallowing and Chewing: The tongue plays a crucial role in moving food around the mouth for proper chewing and initiating a safe swallow.Restriction can lead to picky eating or difficulty managing certain textures.

• Airway and Sleep Concerns: An ideal resting posture for the tongue is against the roof of the mouth. A tie can prevent this, forcing the mouth open (mouth breathing) and potentially contributing to sleep-disordered breathing issues, including snoring.

For Adolescents and Adults: Addressing Lifelong Compensation

For many patients, a tongue tie is not diagnosed or treated in childhood, leading to years of muscular compensation. In adolescents and adults, the restrictive tissue continues to exert force, creating a new set of functional, oral health, and even cosmetic problems:

• Chronic Muscular Pain: To compensate for the restricted tongue movement, surrounding muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders often overwork.This chronic tension is a common contributor to headaches, neck pain, and symptoms associated with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders.

• Compromised Oral Hygiene: The tongue naturally sweeps the mouth to help clear food debris.A limited range of motion prevents the tongue from reaching and properly cleaning the back of the teeth and gums, increasing the risk of chronic plaque buildup, cavities, and periodontal (gum) disease.

• Orthodontic and Prosthetic Issues: In some cases, a tight frenum can contribute to a gap (diastema) between the front teeth.For adults considering dentures, an unreleased frenum can interfere with the proper fit and stability of the prosthetic, causing discomfort and irritation.

• Speech and Social Confidence: Persistent articulation issues, even subtle ones, can lead to decreased confidence in social or professional settings, impacting overall quality of life.

Our Approach to Frenectomy: Gentle, Precise, and Comprehensive Care

At Flossophy Dental, we perform the tongue tie release procedure—a lingual frenectomy—with an emphasis on precision, minimal discomfort, and a quick recovery. We believe in providing the most advanced, conservative care to achieve maximum functional improvement.

The procedure itself is a minor surgical intervention that releases the restricting frenum to allow the tongue its full, natural range of motion.For all ages, the process is quick and generally very well-tolerated. We utilize modern, gentle techniques and instruments, carefully administering local anesthesia to numb the area, ensuring the patient remains comfortable throughout the brief procedure.

Our commitment to comprehensive care means that the procedure is often just one part of the journey. For infants, we coordinate closely with lactation consultants to ensure immediate post-procedure feeding success. For older children and adults, we typically recommend partnering with a myofunctional therapist or a speech pathologist. These specialized therapists provide targeted exercises that "re-train" the tongue and mouth muscles to use their new, full range of motion effectively, helping to reverse years of compensatory habits and maximize the benefits of the release.

Benefits of Tongue Tie Release for Our Patients

Deciding to pursue a tongue tie release is a functional choice that yields broad benefits that extend far beyond the mouth:

• Improved Speech and Articulation: Patients often experience clearer, easier speech, which boosts confidence in all forms of communication.

• Enhanced Feeding and Swallowing: Infants can achieve a deeper, more efficient latch, while children and adults find it easier to chew and swallow a wider variety of foods.

• Relief from Jaw and Neck Tension: By allowing the tongue to properly rest in the palate and participate naturally in oral function, the burden on the surrounding compensating muscles (including those in the TMJ) is significantly reduced, alleviating chronic pain.

• Better Oral Hygiene and Health: A fully mobile tongue is a natural cleaning mechanism, helping to keep teeth and gums healthier and reducing the long-term risk of dental disease.

• Improved Airway Function: Correct tongue posture achieved after the release can support nasal breathing and help open the airway, potentially improving sleep quality and reducing the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing.

If you or your child are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty chewing, persistent speech challenges, chronic neck or jaw pain, or struggle with breastfeeding, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Flossophy Dental. Our doctors are adept at diagnosing the functional restriction and developing a comprehensive care plan, ensuring your experience is comfortable and the functional outcome is life-changing. We are dedicated to providing this specialized service to the Bourbonnais community, helping every patient, no matter their age, unlock their full oral and systemic health potential.