Tongue Tie Basics

Heart shaped tongue tip during protrusion is a sign that tongue tie is most likely. Photo from: www.tonguetie.net

This photo shows the shortened lingual frenulum (tongue tie). Photo from: www.tonguetie.net

Medical name: Ankyloglossia
Description: Restricted movement of the tongue secondary to a malformation of the lingual frenulum.

As a speech-language pathologist, I frequently have kiddos come to see me with articulation difficulties and we discover that the misarticulations are in fact due to an unidentified tongue tie.  Tongue tie is actually more common than people realize.  At times we are able to identify the issue during infancy because the baby is having a difficult time feeding (e.g. latching or severe nipple pain).  Clippings at this age are much easier and always preferred to minimize articulation difficulties later.  But there are those kiddos that are overlooked because they found ways to adapt and feed adequately.  Kiddos with tongue tie usually have difficulty with the consonants: g, k, t, d, l, r, and consonant blends.  Sometimes tongue tie can result in a difficulty of eating solids, resulting in gagging or vomiting when trying new foods.  Tongue tie can be diagnosed by a pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, Otolaryngologist, and some dentists.  Common treatment for tongue tie is a simple surgery to “clip” the tongue and private speech-language therapy to strengthen musculature and address misarticulations. 

If you have concerns about your child’s lingual frenulum or the possibility of tongue tie, give us a call or email me with questions! 
 
 

Photos taken from: www.tonguetie.net