You’ve probably heard the phrase “tongue-tied,” meaning you have trouble getting words out correctly. But did you know a tongue tie is a real thing? Not only can it make speaking difficult, but it can also cause problems with your teeth. 

A tongue tie can lead to crooked teeth, an overbite, or even a deep bite. It can also make it difficult to eat and swallow, so it should be addressed as soon as possible. 

Once your tongue tie is corrected, Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics is here to help you with your teeth! Just remember to follow a few steps beforehand to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

What Is a Tongue Tie?

What is a tongue tie? You’ve probably seen that little flap of skin under your tongue that holds it to the bottom of your mouth. A tongue tie is when that flap of thick tissue extends further forward on the bottom of the tongue than usual. This ties the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. 

A tongue tie, called ankyloglossia, can make speaking, eating, drinking, and swallowing harder because the tongue’s range of motion is limited. 

Children can be born with a tongue tie. Some tongue ties are minor and don’t cause too many issues. Others can cause problems and need to be corrected immediately.

Fixing a Tongue Tie With Surgery

The easiest way to correct a tongue tie is with minor surgery called a frenectomy, specifically a lingual frenectomy. This procedure involves cutting off the excess tissue with a small blade, scissors, or laser. It is painless and doesn’t even require anesthesia. 

Tongue tie surgery is often performed on infants because tongue ties can interfere with their ability to nurse. Is there a tongue-tie surgery age limit? No, there isn’t. Even adults who have had problems for years can still get the surgery, though a tongue tie is less common because the problems usually manifest and need correcting early.

What Happens After a Tongue Tie Procedure?

What happens after a frenectomy? If it’s performed on an infant, it may take a little time for them to learn to nurse properly, but they should have no restrictions on nursing after the surgery. Small children may have more of a journey ahead.

Children may need help learning how to position and hold their tongues so that they stay on the roof of the mouth and away from the teeth. If they’re talking, they may require speech therapy to learn to speak certain sounds correctly, such as s, ch, t, l, and r. 

Hentcher-Johnson Orthodontics can help by placing a tongue crib in your child’s mouth. This orthodontic appliance attaches to the back upper molars. A wire “basket” at the front holds the tip of your child’s tongue behind the upper incisors. This places the tongue where it should be and trains it to stay there. 

Tongue cribs are painless and usually stay in about 6-12 months. It shouldn’t interfere with your child’s ability to eat, drink, swallow, or speak. Placing the tongue correctly will prevent other dental issues later. 

Why Correct a Tongue Tie?

Tongue ties may not seem like a big deal initially, but they can become a problem as the child ages. A tongue tie restricts the tongue’s movement, which can impede speech. This could put your child behind in speaking or could leave your child with a speech impediment. 

A tongue tie can also make eating and drinking more difficult because the tongue is necessary for proper swallowing. This can cause digestive issues and nutritional problems with your child. 

How does a tongue tie hurt your teeth? A tongue tie can cause tongue thrust, a conscious or unconscious movement of the tongue against the front teeth. Repeated tongue thrust over time can push the front teeth outwards, leading to an overbite or an open bite. This can also cause eating issues and alter the appearance of your face. 

Tongue tie surgery easily fixes these problems. The dental issues left from the tongue tie can be fixed with braces or clear aligners from Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics in Columbia, IL.

What Is a Lip Tie?

What is a lip tie, and are a lip and tongue tie the same thing? Do you have lip tie problems later in life? Do you fix lip ties in infants like you do tongue ties?

Lip ties are similar to tongue ties. If you touch the tip of your tongue above the front of your upper teeth, you can feel the frenulum or the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums. A normal frenulum allows normal movement of the upper lip.

An upper lip tie is a thickening of the frenulum that restricts the movement of the upper lip. As with a tongue tie, a lip tie can cause speech problems, particularly with the letters B, M, and P. 

A lip tie can also make eating, drinking, nursing, and swallowing difficult. The excess tissue can even push the front teeth apart, leading to gap teeth. These may need to be corrected with braces or clear aligners. A tongue and lip tie should be fixed as soon as possible.

How Do I Fix a Lip Tie?

A lip tie is repaired with a labial frenectomy. This procedure is nearly identical to a lingual frenectomy, which corrects the tongue tie. 

The doctor or dentist uses a numbing agent to numb the lip and gum area. Then, a laser or blade is used to cut the excess tissue. A labial frenectomy is a quick procedure and should allow your infant to be nursed, usually very soon afterward. 

You must provide therapy for your child while their lip heals. Stretch the upper lip upwards and rub the area with clean fingers several times daily until it’s fully healed. This will prevent the skin from growing back together and creating another lip tie. 

Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Care in Columbia, IL

Tongue and lip ties can be minor or cause significant problems with your child’s ability to speak, swallow, and eat. The procedure to fix these issues is simple and painless. Leaving them without treatment can cause orthodontic problems requiring braces or clear aligners treatment. 

Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics can correct any dental issues caused by your child’s tongue or lip tie. To learn about your orthodontic treatment options, start a virtual consultation or schedule an appointment with our office in Columbia, IL, or Waterloo, IL.