The Tongue
And It’s Connection To Your Overall Health
What is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is a physical limitation in the mobility and function of the tongue. It is also commonly referred to as a restricted lingual frenum or tethered oral tissue (TOT). The frenum is the line or band of tissue directly under the tongue connecting it to the floor of the mouth. Everyone has this frenum, but for some people it develops too tight, or too short. If this occurs then it can restrict the movement of the tongue, as well as preventing it from resting in the correct place against the palate.
When a tongue tie is present, it can have a negative impact on oral development, oral function, speech, breathing and more.
Why does it matter? Posture & Function.
When your tongue is in the right place, your teeth will grow in straighter and your face will develop properly.
A tongue tie also affects tongue position/posture, causing the tongue to rest low in the mouth. A low resting tongue is either a necessity or a habit and your Myofunctional Therapist must identify it as the symptom of something more important. An underlying health concern could include mouth breathing as a result of a tongue tie or low resting tongue. Mouth breathing perpetuates inflammation, tonsil/adenoid enlargement and nasal resistance.
A low tongue posture, regardless of the cause, can result in compensations to open up the airway by pushing the head forward, which can lead to chronic neck/shoulder tension, clenching, grinding and sleep apnea.
Both a low tongue posture and tongue tie can have long term effects involving the TMJ function and health, stability of dental occlusion, development of the jaws, speech and articulation, a chronic open mouth posture, and of utmost importance: Airway Health
Tongue ties do not only impact infants.
Symptoms of a Tongue Tie
In Infants - Difficulty breast feeding or bottle feeding, painful latching, reflux, ear infection, poor weight gain and open mouth posture or mouth breathing
In Children - Gagging or choking on food, messy or noisy eating, picky eating, posture imbalances, delayed speech development, digestive issues, reflux, ear infections, teeth grinding, snoring/sleep disordered breathing, orthodontic needs or relapse, poor dental health and mouth breathing
In Adults - Chronic headaches or migraines, neck/shoulder pain, forward head posture, jaw pain, clenching and grinding, snoring and sleep apnea, orthodontic needs or relapse, digestive issues, reflux, poor dental health, mumbled speech, mouth breathing and narrow jaws
How can Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy help?
A low resting tongue posture, without a tie, can be retrained to rest in the roof of the mouth through myofunctional exercises. When a tongue tie is identified, myofunctional exercises may not be enough to retrain the tongues resting position. If this is the case, a simple procedure called a “frenectomy” to release the restricted frenum may be required. At Grey Bruce OMT, every client is screened for a tongue tie and then it is determined whether a frenectomy is recommended. It is important to know that a frenectomy is not needed for every person who has a tongue tie, but more important to identify if there are any symptoms because of the restriction. If required, we will refer you/your child to an experienced and skilled provider to perform the procedure.
Myofunctional Therapy is a critical part in a frenectomy procedure to allow for proper would healing and allow the tongue to return to its full function.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple incision at the bottom of the tongue to free the tongue from the floor of the mouth. The procedure is low risk and can be performed with a laser, scalpel, scissors or combination. In most cases, the procedure is done with only local anaesthetic - general anaesthetic is rarely used. Would healing usually takes 1-2 weeks, although it may take longer depending on the procedure and level of pre/post frenectomy care.
Pre/Post Frenectomy Care
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps to ensure that your tongue tie release (frenectomy) is successful. When there is a tongue tie, the muscles of the tongue will not be properly used, so even after a frenectomy has been completed, there is risk of re-attachment. It is essential to prepare for the procedure by completing a series of exercises to rehabilitate the tongue and prevent the frenulum from healing back into its original place.