What is a Tongue Tie?

The phrase “tongue tied” is commonly used as a slang reference to someone stumbling over their words. However, tongue and lip ties (medically known as Ankyloglossia) can lead to serious complications in infants, adolescents, and even into adulthood if left untreated.

WHAT IS A TONGUE TIE?
Tongue ties are caused when the lingual frenulum (the membrane which connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is thick, short, or otherwise malformed, restricting the tongue from moving correctly.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH TONGUE/LIP TIE?
– For infants, tongue tie or lip tie may mean unsuccessful breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

For infants born with tongue or lip tie, the restriction does not allow the lip to rest passively over the nipple for proper suctioning.
Symptoms you may notice can include:

Difficulty latching or staying on latch
Excessive gas or burps
Gagging and choking
Milk dribbles
Reflux/colic
Excessive spitting up
An arched back due to discomfort
Falling asleep at the breast
Long feeding times or continual feeding
Lip calluses or blisters
Swallowing air
Chomping on the nipple
Comes off latch
Can only feed during letdown
Tucking of the upper lip
Fussing/fighting at the breast
Acts tense while nursing
Sensitive gag reflex
“Lazy Eater”
Difficulty holding a pacifier
Failure to gain weight

– NURSING MOTHERS may find it difficult or painful to breastfeed.

Tongue and lip ties don’t only affect the infant. A baby’s tethered oral tissue can also cause physical and emotional issues for a breastfeeding mother, which could include:

Painful Latch
Shallow Latch
Distorted, sore, damaged, and/or bleeding nipples
Plugged ducts
Mastitis
Feelings of failure or disappointment
Loss of milk supply (especially after 3 months)
Nipple throbbing (vasospasm)

– As BABIES GROW they may experience difficulty eating solid foods.

Tongue and lip tie symptoms in babies may include:

Eating slowly (often the last one to finish a meal)
Very picky about food, especially textures
Choking when transitioning to solid foods
Gagging or spitting food out
Refusing to wean
Difficulty swallowing
Easily distracted during mealtimes
Grazing on food throughout the day
Failure to gain weight

If left untreated, the problematic side effects of tongue and lip tie continue into adolescence and adulthood.
– CHILDREN may have difficulties with Speech.

The tongue has a remarkable ability to compensate, so a child may never show signs of difficulty at all. However, not all children are able to adapt and the signs and symptoms of a tongue and lip tie during childhood may include:

Trouble articulating sounds (- l, r, t, d, n, th, sh, and z)
V-shaped notch at the tip of the tongue
Inability to stick out the tongue past the upper gums
Inability to touch the roof of the mouth
Difficulty moving the tongue from side to side